From Copenhagen's buzzing hotels boasting an occupancy rate of 78.5% to the nation's thriving €95 RevPAR, Denmark's hospitality industry is experiencing a dynamic and profitable renaissance.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, Denmark's hotels recorded 15.2 million overnight stays by domestic guests, up 8% from 2022.
- Copenhagen hotels achieved an average occupancy rate of 78.5% in 2023, highest among Danish regions.
- The total number of hotel beds in Denmark stood at 85,000 in 2022.
- In 2023, full-service restaurants in Denmark numbered 4,500, generating DKK 25 billion in revenue.
- Quick-service restaurants saw 12% sales growth in Denmark in 2023.
- Average meal price in Danish restaurants was DKK 250 in 2023.
- In 2023, Denmark welcomed 40.5 million international tourist arrivals.
- Domestic tourism accounted for 52 million overnight stays in 2023.
- Germans were the top international visitors to Denmark with 4.2 million in 2023.
- Hospitality industry employed 145,000 people in Denmark in 2023.
- 52% of hospitality workers in Denmark are women as of 2023.
- Average hourly wage in Danish hotels: DKK 145 in 2023.
- Total hospitality sector revenue reached DKK 120 billion in 2023.
- Hotel revenue per available room (RevPAR) averaged DKK 750 in 2023.
- Restaurants contributed 45% to hospitality total turnover in 2023.
Denmark's hospitality industry saw robust growth and recovery in 2023.
Employment and Labor
- Hospitality industry employed 145,000 people in Denmark in 2023.
- 52% of hospitality workers in Denmark are women as of 2023.
- Average hourly wage in Danish hotels: DKK 145 in 2023.
- Youth employment (15-24) in hospitality: 35,000 in 2023.
- Labor shortage affected 60% of hospitality businesses in 2023.
- Part-time workers comprise 45% of hospitality workforce in 2023.
- Chefs numbered 28,000 in Denmark's foodservice in 2023.
- 15% increase in hospitality apprenticeships in 2023.
- Unemployment rate in hospitality sector: 4.2% in 2023.
- Foreign workers make up 22% of hotel staff in 2023.
- Waitstaff employment: 42,000 across Denmark in 2023.
- 70% of hospitality jobs require vocational training in 2023.
- Housekeeping staff turnover: 30% annually in 2023.
- Managers in hospitality: 12,500 in 2023.
- 25% growth in seasonal hospitality jobs in summer 2023.
- Average workweek in restaurants: 32 hours in 2023.
- 18% of hospitality workers aged over 55 in 2023.
- Bartenders employed: 15,000 in Denmark 2023.
- Union membership in hospitality: 65% in 2023.
- Sick leave days per employee: 7.5 in hospitality 2023.
- Receptionists in hotels: 8,500 jobs in 2023.
- 40% of hospitality firms offered training programs in 2023.
- Overtime hours average 2 per week in restaurants 2023.
- Sommeliers certified: 1,200 in Denmark 2023.
- Disability employment in hospitality: 5% in 2023.
Employment and Labor Interpretation
Denmark's hospitality sector, while brimming with apprentices and a mighty army of chefs and servers, is clearly wrestling with a paradox: it's a field so appealing it's suffering from a labor shortage, yet so demanding that nearly half its workforce can only manage part-time hours, and housekeepers flee at a rate that would make a guest with a broken minibar seem patient.
Hotels and Accommodation
- In 2023, Denmark's hotels recorded 15.2 million overnight stays by domestic guests, up 8% from 2022.
- Copenhagen hotels achieved an average occupancy rate of 78.5% in 2023, highest among Danish regions.
- The total number of hotel beds in Denmark stood at 85,000 in 2022.
- RevPAR for Danish hotels averaged €95 in Q4 2023, a 12% YoY increase.
- In 2023, 55% of hotel rooms in Denmark were in establishments with over 100 beds.
- Jutland region hotels saw 4.1 million overnight stays in 2022.
- Average daily rate (ADR) for luxury hotels in Denmark reached DKK 1,800 in 2023.
- 28% of Danish hotels were independently owned in 2023.
- Hotel occupancy in Zealand excluding Copenhagen was 65% in summer 2023.
- New hotel openings in Denmark totaled 15 in 2023, adding 2,500 rooms.
- 72% of hotel guests in Denmark used digital check-in in 2023.
- Funen hotels reported 1.8 million overnight stays in 2022.
- Average hotel room size in Denmark is 22 sqm as of 2023.
- 40% of Danish hotels hold Green Key sustainability certification in 2023.
- Bornholm island hotels had 85% occupancy during peak season 2023.
- Total hotel revenue in Denmark grew 15% to DKK 18 billion in 2023.
- 65% of hotels in Denmark offer EV charging stations in 2023.
- Southern Denmark hotels saw a 10% rise in international stays in 2023.
- Boutique hotels in Denmark numbered 250 in 2023.
- Average length of hotel stay in Denmark is 2.3 nights in 2023.
- 52% of Danish hotel rooms are in chain-affiliated properties in 2023.
- North Jutland hotels occupancy averaged 70% in 2023.
- Hotel staff turnover rate in Denmark was 25% in 2023.
- 90% of Copenhagen hotels are rated 4-star or above in 2023.
- Camping sites affiliated with hotels provided 1.2 million bed nights in 2022.
- ADR for budget hotels in Denmark averaged DKK 700 in 2023.
- 35% growth in glamping accommodations in Denmark since 2020.
- Hotels in Aarhus achieved 75% occupancy in 2023.
- Total star-rated hotel rooms in Denmark: 38,000 in 2023.
- 60% of Danish hotels implemented contactless payments fully by 2023.
Hotels and Accommodation Interpretation
Denmark's hotels, while clearly thriving with robust growth and digital convenience, are wrestling with a familiar industry paradox: they're successfully attracting more guests to ever-larger, tech-savvy properties even as they struggle to keep their own staff from checking out.
Restaurants and Catering
- In 2023, full-service restaurants in Denmark numbered 4,500, generating DKK 25 billion in revenue.
- Quick-service restaurants saw 12% sales growth in Denmark in 2023.
- Average meal price in Danish restaurants was DKK 250 in 2023.
- Copenhagen fine dining restaurants held 22 Michelin stars in 2023.
- 68% of restaurants in Denmark offer plant-based menu options in 2023.
- Catering services revenue reached DKK 8.5 billion in 2022.
- Pubs and bars in Denmark totaled 2,800 in 2023.
- 45% of restaurant visits in Denmark were via delivery apps in 2023.
- Jutland restaurants employed 35,000 people in 2023.
- Average restaurant occupancy rate was 65% post-COVID in 2023.
- Vegan restaurant openings in Denmark increased 30% in 2023.
- Coffee shops in Copenhagen numbered 450 in 2023.
- 75% of Danish restaurants use local ingredients predominantly.
- Food trucks in Denmark grew to 1,200 units in 2023.
- Per capita restaurant spending in Denmark: DKK 4,200 annually in 2023.
- 55% of restaurants in Denmark are family-owned in 2023.
- Bakery-cafes generated DKK 12 billion in sales in 2022.
- Fine casual dining segment grew 18% in Denmark 2023.
- 82% of Danish bars serve craft beer options in 2023.
- Hotel restaurants contributed 20% to total foodservice revenue in 2023.
- Average waiter tip in Denmark is 10% of bill in 2023.
- Street food markets in Denmark hosted 5 million visitors in 2023.
- 40% rise in gluten-free menu items in restaurants since 2020.
- Total cafe outlets in Denmark: 3,200 in 2023.
- Organic food sales in restaurants up 25% in 2023.
- 70% of restaurants adopted QR code menus by 2023.
Restaurants and Catering Interpretation
While Denmark’s fine dining scene sparkles with Michelin stars and its cozy pubs remain staples, the industry is briskly pivoting toward speed, plants, and pixels—evidenced by booming delivery apps, surging vegan spots, and QR code menus—proving that even in a nation of classic smørrebrød, convenience and conscience are now firmly on the menu.
Revenue and Finance
- Total hospitality sector revenue reached DKK 120 billion in 2023.
- Hotel revenue per available room (RevPAR) averaged DKK 750 in 2023.
- Restaurants contributed 45% to hospitality total turnover in 2023.
- Tourism direct GDP contribution: DKK 95 billion in 2023.
- Average profit margin for Danish hotels: 18% in 2023.
- Foodservice sector turnover growth: 10% YoY in 2023.
- Tax revenue from hospitality: DKK 25 billion in 2023.
- Investment in hospitality assets: DKK 15 billion in 2023.
- EBITDA for top hotel chains in Denmark: 22% in 2023.
- Per capita hospitality spend: DKK 20,000 annually in 2023.
- Conference and events revenue: DKK 12 billion in 2023.
- Online booking commissions averaged 15% of revenue in 2023.
- Cost of goods sold in restaurants: 32% of revenue in 2023.
- Hospitality export value (international spend): DKK 80 billion in 2023.
- Labor costs represent 40% of total expenses in 2023.
- Energy cost increase impacted margins by 5% in 2023.
- Average hotel ROI: 9.5% in Denmark 2023.
- VAT revenue from hospitality: DKK 18 billion in 2023.
- Food and beverage revenue share in hotels: 35% in 2023.
- Break-even occupancy for restaurants: 55% in 2023.
- Total hospitality debt levels: DKK 50 billion in 2023.
- Sustainability investments: DKK 5 billion by sector in 2023.
- Price index for hospitality services up 7% in 2023.
Revenue and Finance Interpretation
The Danish hospitality sector is a powerful economic engine, cleverly converting generous restaurant bills and robust hotel profits into billions for the treasury, all while expertly juggling rising costs and the ever-present hunger for a good return.
Tourism and Visitors
- In 2023, Denmark welcomed 40.5 million international tourist arrivals.
- Domestic tourism accounted for 52 million overnight stays in 2023.
- Germans were the top international visitors to Denmark with 4.2 million in 2023.
- Tourism contributed 6.5% to Denmark's GDP in 2023.
- 28 million day trips were made by tourists in Denmark in 2023.
- Copenhagen received 12 million overnight stays from tourists in 2023.
- Average tourist spend per trip in Denmark was €850 in 2023.
- 15% growth in US tourists to Denmark in 2023 over 2022.
- Cruise passenger arrivals in Denmark totaled 850,000 in 2023.
- 65% of tourists visited Denmark for holiday purposes in 2023.
- Swedish visitors numbered 3.8 million in 2023.
- Rural tourism overnight stays rose 22% in 2023.
- 42% of tourists arrived by air to Denmark in 2023.
- Nature-based tourism activities participated by 2.5 million tourists in 2023.
- Business travel accounted for 18% of total tourism in 2023.
- Norwegian tourists: 2.1 million visits in 2023.
- 75% of tourists rated Denmark highly for safety in 2023 surveys.
- Beach tourism saw 1.8 million stays in summer 2023.
- Dutch visitors grew 14% to 1.9 million in 2023.
- Cultural site visits by tourists: 35 million in 2023.
- 55% of international tourists stayed 4 nights or more in 2023.
- UK tourists numbered 1.5 million in 2023.
- Adventure tourism participation up 20% to 900,000 in 2023.
- 30% of tourists engaged in cycling holidays in 2023.
- French visitors: 1.2 million in 2023.
- Total tourism employment supported: 190,000 jobs in 2023.
- Italian tourists increased 25% to 800,000 in 2023.
Tourism and Visitors Interpretation
Denmark's tourism industry clearly has its ducks in a row, hosting over 40 million international guests while charming its own citizens into 52 million domestic sleepovers, proving that whether you're a German neighbor or an adventure-seeking American, the Danes have perfected the art of the cozy, culture-rich, and economically vital welcome.
Sources & References
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