During the winter holidays, it is the cabin owner himself who provides light in the windows of the cabin in Rauland in Vinje. In the weeks before and after, Monica Wathne from Stord has other plans. Then the Danish, French and German languages will dominate within the cabin walls. – We think it is good to give the opportunity to others who do not have a cabin themselves. And it provides a nice extra income, says Wathne. Monica Wathne rents out her cabin when she and her family are not using it themselves. Photo: Privat Could have rented out an extra cabin Several have predicted a collapse in the cabin market as a result of high electricity prices, higher interest rates and other increased expenses. The economic situation may be the reason why many do as Monica Wathne and her family do. The cabin owner has noticed a change this winter. There has been a huge surge. The Wathne family like to share their cabin with others when they are not using it themselves. Photo: Private – If I had another cabin, I could have rented it out as well. In the best weeks, I could have triple booked the cabin, says Wathne. – More visits than ever In the descents to Rauland ski centre, activity is picking up. The ski center notices an increase in the number of visitors looking for skiing experiences. Winter holiday on the ski slopes of Rauland ski center in Vinje. Photo: Stian Wåsjø Simonsen / news The increase is not due to the cabin owners using their cabins more, believes operations manager Stein Birger Johnsen. – The gratifying thing is that they have rented out the cabins. So we have more visitors than ever. Stein Birger Johnsen, operations manager at Rauland ski center in Vinje. Photo: Stian Wåsjø Simonsen / news While the cabin owners are usually equipped with their own skis, it appears that the tenants rely on equipment rental. – Last week, which is the Danes’ winter holiday, we rented out a total of 3,800 pairs of skis. All the skis were out for many days straight, says Johnsen. Hot market In the past year, there have been twice as many overnight stays in the rental market compared to the previous year, Statistics Norway’s figures for holiday home rental show. During the pandemic, interest in renting cabins increased. But the fact that the market has remained roughly at the same level comes as a shock to many. Terje Berge, commercial director of Finn.no Reise. Photo: Finn.no – With an “all time high” for holiday homes throughout and after the pandemic, it is surprising that the holiday home market is still very hot, says commercial director of Finn Reise, Terje Berge. Compared to 2021, Finn has 27 per cent advertising growth for the rental of private holiday homes and cabins. Have you considered renting out the cabin due to increased financial expenses? No, I want the cabin and my things to myself. Yes, I want to rent out to be able to pay the expenses for the cabin. I don’t have a cabin, but I’m happy to rent! Show result Today’s economic situation is the main reason why people rent out their cabins, says Audun Pettersen, industry director for Virke reiseliv. – The non-commercial part of tourism has doubled. Many have bought cabins and borrowed money. They want part of the investment because it has become more expensive in society as a whole, he says. Audun Pettersen, industry director for Virke reiseliv. Photo: Virke A weak Norwegian krone also has something to say about our travel habits. This makes it more expensive for Norwegians to travel abroad, but cheaper for tourists to come to Norway. – It is gratifying to see that tourism exports have returned. Foreigners are coming to Norway to a greater extent now, says Pettersen. Record The predictions of a gloomy season for the mountain destinations have not proved correct if we look at Hafjell-Kvitfjell. – We have had a record week in week 7. It has been a great week for us, says communications manager for Alpinco Hafjell and Kvitfjell, Veslemøy Eineteig Wedum. The Mosetertoppen cabin field in Hafjell. Photo: Reidar Gregersen / news Alpinco owns and operates alpine resorts and hotels on Hafjell and Kvitfjell. Last week it was sold out at both mountain destinations, with a large influx of more guests than they can accommodate themselves, according to Wedum. – The guests who come generally spend more money. Veslemøy Eineteig Wedum is responsible for communications at Alpinco Hafjell and Kvitfjell. Photo: Alpinco She also notices that a snow-poor winter in the south lures Europeans to Norwegian conditions. – The foreigners have returned after the pandemic and are not intimidated by high electricity prices, says Wedum.
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Now “everyone” wants to rent out the cabin – news Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio
