Strawberry warns: The hotel industry could become unprofitable by 2027
The hotel chain Strawberry, owned by Petter Stordalen, is now issuing a serious warning regarding the future of the Norwegian tourism industry. The company fears that the combination of several new economic requirements will make it very difficult to operate hotel businesses at a profit in the coming years.
The background for this concern is a collective pressure from several different directions. Strawberry specifically points to the introduction of a new overnight stay tax, as well as proposals to increase the value-added tax (VAT) on hotel services. These changes will lead to increased costs for both hotels and guests.
In addition to tax and duty changes, the hotel chain highlights new overtime regulations as a challenge. They believe that the total costs associated with these measures are so significant that many hotels risk operating at a loss from 2027 if the framework conditions are not changed.
This warning is sparking debate about how Norwegian authorities should support the tourism industry. The hotel industry is an important employer in Norway, and many now fear that the increased costs will lead to fewer investments and challenges for employees in the sector in the near future.