With 65.4% of hotel rooms filled, culinary revenue soaring to SEK 125 billion, and Stockholm serving as the vibrant heart of it all, Sweden's hospitality industry is not just recovering—it's thriving with a dynamic, sustainable pulse.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, Sweden had 1,248 registered hotels with a total of 145,200 rooms, representing a 2.1% increase from the previous year.
- The average occupancy rate for Swedish hotels in 2023 was 65.4%, up from 61.2% in 2022.
- Stockholm hosted 42% of all hotel nights in Sweden in 2023, totaling 12.5 million nights.
- Sweden's fine dining restaurants numbered 1,850 in 2023, with 45 Michelin-starred.
- Total restaurant outlets in Sweden reached 12,400 in 2023.
- Fast food chains accounted for 28% of restaurant revenue in Sweden 2023.
- Sweden welcomed 14.5 million international tourists in 2023.
- Domestic tourism accounted for 52 million overnight stays in 2023.
- Stockholm attracted 7.2 million visitors in 2023.
- Total hospitality employment in Sweden was 198,000 full-time equivalents in 2023.
- Hotels employed 92,000 people in Sweden in 2023.
- Restaurants hired 145,000 workers, up 4% from 2022.
- Hospitality revenue totaled SEK 210 billion in Sweden 2023.
- Hotel sector generated SEK 85 billion in turnover 2023.
- Restaurants contributed SEK 125 billion to GDP via hospitality in 2023.
Sweden's hospitality industry grew significantly in hotels, restaurants, and tourism revenue for 2023.
Employment & Labor
- Total hospitality employment in Sweden was 198,000 full-time equivalents in 2023.
- Hotels employed 92,000 people in Sweden in 2023.
- Restaurants hired 145,000 workers, up 4% from 2022.
- 52% of hospitality workforce were women in Sweden 2023.
- Youth employment (15-24) in sector was 45,000 in 2023.
- Average hourly wage in hotels was SEK 185 in 2023.
- Chefs and cooks numbered 38,000 employed in 2023.
- Seasonal workers in tourism peaked at 65,000 in summer 2023.
- Foreign workers comprised 22% of hospitality staff in 2023.
- Waitstaff employment totaled 72,000 across Sweden 2023.
- Training programs graduated 4,200 hospitality students in 2023.
- Unemployment rate in sector was 5.2% in 2023.
- Housekeeping staff numbered 28,000 in hotels 2023.
- Bartenders employed 15,000 full-time equivalents in 2023.
- Management positions held by 12,500 in hospitality 2023.
- Part-time workers made up 38% of workforce in 2023.
- Overtime hours logged 2.1 million in restaurants 2023.
- Disability employment initiatives hired 3,200 in sector 2023.
- Receptionists totaled 18,000 jobs in Sweden 2023.
- Labor turnover rate was 24% in hospitality 2023.
- Apprenticeships filled 2,800 positions in 2023.
- Union membership covered 68% of workers in 2023.
- Remote training sessions reached 12,000 staff in 2023.
- Sick leave averaged 4.5% in sector 2023.
- New hires totaled 52,000 in hospitality 2023.
Employment & Labor Interpretation
Sweden's hospitality industry in 2023 ran on a potent cocktail of women's leadership, youthful energy, and foreign talent, all stirred with a dash of overtime and served with a side of remarkably low unemployment.
Hotels & Accommodation
- In 2023, Sweden had 1,248 registered hotels with a total of 145,200 rooms, representing a 2.1% increase from the previous year.
- The average occupancy rate for Swedish hotels in 2023 was 65.4%, up from 61.2% in 2022.
- Stockholm hosted 42% of all hotel nights in Sweden in 2023, totaling 12.5 million nights.
- Gothenburg's hotel sector saw 3.2 million overnight stays in 2023, a 5% rise year-over-year.
- In 2023, 28% of Swedish hotel rooms were classified as 4-star or higher.
- The total number of bed places in Swedish hotels increased to 278,500 in 2023.
- Rural hotels in Sweden reported a 72% occupancy rate during summer 2023, higher than urban averages.
- Malmö's hotels accommodated 2.1 million guest nights in 2023.
- Independent hotels accounted for 35% of Sweden's hotel market in 2023.
- RevPAR for Swedish hotels averaged €85 in 2023, a 7% increase from 2022.
- Number of hostels and youth hostels in Sweden reached 250 in 2023 with 45,000 beds.
- Luxury hotels in Sweden (5-star) grew by 12% in room count to 8,500 in 2023.
- Average daily rate (ADR) for hotels in Lapland was SEK 1,800 in winter 2023.
- 15% of Swedish hotels adopted green certifications like Green Key in 2023.
- Conference hotels in Sweden hosted 2.4 million delegate days in 2023.
- Boutique hotels numbered 420 across Sweden in 2023.
- Hotel construction projects in Sweden totaled 25 new properties in 2023.
- Family-run hotels made up 22% of the total in Sweden 2023.
- Occupancy in beach resorts along the Swedish coast hit 78% in July 2023.
- Total hotel investments in Sweden reached SEK 4.2 billion in 2023.
- Number of Airbnb listings in Sweden for hospitality grew to 65,000 in 2023.
- Spa hotels in Sweden increased to 180 venues with 25,000 beds in 2023.
- Hotel cancellations in Sweden dropped to 8% post-pandemic in 2023.
- Eco-hotels represented 18% of new openings in Sweden 2023.
- Uppsala hotels saw 1.1 million nights sold in 2023.
- Chain hotels dominated with 68% market share in Sweden 2023.
- Average hotel stay length in Sweden was 2.3 nights in 2023.
- Northern Sweden hotels reported 55% winter occupancy in 2023.
- Pet-friendly hotel rooms numbered 32,000 nationwide in 2023.
- Hotel digital booking ratio reached 82% in Sweden 2023.
Hotels & Accommodation Interpretation
Sweden’s hotel industry is quietly thriving, proving that a bit more luxury, a strong green streak, and the undeniable gravitational pull of Stockholm can deliver fuller rooms and fatter wallets, all while the countryside enjoys its well-earned summer revenge.
Restaurants & Bars
- Sweden's fine dining restaurants numbered 1,850 in 2023, with 45 Michelin-starred.
- Total restaurant outlets in Sweden reached 12,400 in 2023.
- Fast food chains accounted for 28% of restaurant revenue in Sweden 2023.
- Average meal price in Swedish restaurants was SEK 285 in 2023.
- Vegan/vegetarian menu options available in 62% of Stockholm restaurants in 2023.
- Pubs and bars in Sweden totaled 4,200 licensed venues in 2023.
- Cafés numbered 5,800 across Sweden, serving 1.2 billion coffees yearly in 2023.
- Turnover for Swedish restaurants hit SEK 112 billion in 2023.
- 35% of restaurants in Gothenburg offered sustainable seafood in 2023.
- Food trucks in Sweden grew to 1,500 units operating in 2023.
- Average restaurant occupancy rate was 68% during evenings in 2023.
- Craft beer bars increased by 15% to 650 in Sweden 2023.
- 22% of restaurants were family-owned in Sweden 2023.
- Online delivery platforms served 45 million orders in Sweden 2023.
- Fine dining revenue grew 8% to SEK 18 billion in 2023.
- 75% of Malmö restaurants featured local produce in 2023.
- Cocktail bars in Stockholm numbered 320 with average spend SEK 450 in 2023.
- Casual dining chains expanded to 2,100 locations in 2023.
- Organic wine listings in restaurants rose to 40% in 2023.
- Brunch spots grew 20% to 1,200 nationwide in 2023.
- Restaurant bankruptcies fell 12% to 180 in Sweden 2023.
- Rooftop dining venues reached 85 in major cities 2023.
- 55% of bars offered non-alcoholic alternatives in 2023.
- Pizzeria outlets totaled 3,500 in Sweden 2023.
- Food festivals hosted by restaurants drew 2.5 million visitors in 2023.
- Tapas bars increased to 450 in urban areas 2023.
- Average waiter tip in Sweden was SEK 25 per table in 2023.
- International cuisine restaurants made up 41% of total in 2023.
Restaurants & Bars Interpretation
Sweden’s dining scene is a high-stakes smorgasbord where fine dining’s meticulous ambition, fast food’s relentless efficiency, and a growing conscience over local peas and craft beer all battle for a slice of that 112-billion-krona pie, proving the national appetite is as vast and varied as the landscape itself.
Revenue & Economics
- Hospitality revenue totaled SEK 210 billion in Sweden 2023.
- Hotel sector generated SEK 85 billion in turnover 2023.
- Restaurants contributed SEK 125 billion to GDP via hospitality in 2023.
- Tourism exports valued at SEK 152 billion in 2023.
- Average profit margin for hotels was 8.2% in 2023.
- VAT revenue from hospitality reached SEK 28 billion 2023.
- Investment in hospitality assets hit SEK 7.5 billion 2023.
- Food & beverage sales in hotels SEK 22 billion 2023.
- Sector growth rate was 6.8% YoY in 2023.
- Stockholm hospitality GDP contribution 2.5% in 2023.
- Cost inflation for energy in hotels 15% in 2023.
- EBITDA for top chains averaged 12% in 2023.
- Tax contributions from sector SEK 35 billion 2023.
- Revenue per available room (RevPAR) SEK 1,200 nationally 2023.
- Banquet and event revenue SEK 14 billion 2023.
- Online booking commissions cost SEK 5.2 billion 2023.
- Sustainability investments SEK 3.1 billion in sector 2023.
- Gothenburg hospitality turnover SEK 18 billion 2023.
- Labor cost share 42% of total expenses 2023.
- Foreign tourist spend SEK 110 billion in 2023.
- Hotel occupancy drove 65% of accommodation revenue 2023.
- Bar revenue growth 9% to SEK 12 billion 2023.
Revenue & Economics Interpretation
Sweden's hospitality sector is a thriving but lean feast, where restaurants are the hearty main course generating over half the industry's GDP, hotels turn a tidy but energy-squeezed profit, and the entire banquet is meticulously plated by a workforce that claims nearly half the costs.
Tourism & Visitors
- Sweden welcomed 14.5 million international tourists in 2023.
- Domestic tourism accounted for 52 million overnight stays in 2023.
- Stockholm attracted 7.2 million visitors in 2023.
- Gothenburg saw 4.8 million tourist arrivals in 2023.
- Lapland region hosted 2.1 million winter tourists in 2023.
- Cruise passenger arrivals at Swedish ports totaled 1.2 million in 2023.
- 68% of international tourists came from Europe in 2023.
- Average tourist spend per visit was SEK 8,500 in 2023.
- Nature-based tourism grew 15% to 6.3 million participants in 2023.
- Malmö welcomed 2.9 million day visitors in 2023.
- Adventure tourism activities booked 1.8 million times in 2023.
- Cultural heritage sites visited by 9.4 million tourists in 2023.
- Business travelers numbered 3.5 million in Sweden 2023.
- Eco-tourism packages sold 450,000 units in 2023.
- Summer camping sites occupancy reached 85% with 12 million nights.
- Northern Lights tours attracted 850,000 visitors in 2023.
- City break tourists to Uppsala totaled 1.4 million in 2023.
- 42% of tourists used public transport in Sweden 2023.
- Ski resort visitors hit 4.2 million in winter 2023.
- Wellness tourism retreats booked by 1.1 million in 2023.
- Food tourism experiences participated by 2.7 million in 2023.
- Archipelago boat trips taken by 3.2 million tourists 2023.
- Repeat visitors made up 55% of total tourists in 2023.
- Digital nomad visas issued to 12,000 for Sweden in 2023.
- Festival attendance reached 8.5 million in summer 2023.
- Birdwatching tourists numbered 650,000 in 2023.
Tourism & Visitors Interpretation
Sweden's tourism industry clearly has something for everyone, from the aurora-chasing crowds in Lapland to the espresso-sipping digital nomads in Stockholm, proving that whether you seek adventure, culture, or a simple cabin in the woods, you'll happily spend your kronor to find it here.
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