Morten Laupstad: Building strength and collaboration for independent players in the hotel and restaurant industry
Since its founding in 2006, Utvalgte Hoteller og Spisesteder has been a strong and reliable partner for small and independent players in the Norwegian hotel and restaurant industry. Under...
Since its founding in 2006, Utvalgte Hoteller og Spisesteder has been a strong and reliable partner for small and independent players in the Norwegian hotel and restaurant industry. Under Morten Laupstad's leadership, the organisation has grown into a central player, and today offers a broad network of support and collaboration to businesses across the country - without them having to give up what makes them unique.
Photo: Morten Holt
A model for collaboration and independence
With a clear focus on supporting small players who want to retain their own identity, Utvalgte Hoteller og Spisesteder has created a unique model for collaboration. Their member businesses consist of independent hotels and eateries that have deliberately chosen to stand outside the large chains in order to offer their guests something authentic and locally rooted.
Morten Laupstad, managing director of Utvalgte, describes the organisation's model as a "win-win situation" for everyone involved.
- Our members want to give their guests something more personal and authentic, while at the same time seeing the value of standing together in a community. We make sure they get access to knowledge sharing, advice and better agreements with suppliers. That strengthens their competitiveness, without them losing their distinctive character, says Laupstad.
This approach gives small players the opportunity to focus on what they do best, creating unique experiences, while also benefiting from the resources and experience of a larger network.
- Read also: Attracting with both sustainability and competitive strength
Outstanding success stories
Over the years, Utvalgte Hoteller og Spisesteder has seen several success stories among its members. Small hotels and restaurants that might have struggled on their own in a competitive market have, through their membership, experienced increased visibility, better financial conditions, and more efficient operations.
- We have seen many examples of how the community in Utvalgte has given our members a fresh boost, Laupstad continues. When several small players join forces, they achieve greater clout and can more easily handle the challenges in the market. Our job is to simplify their everyday lives, so that they can concentrate on offering unique and memorable experiences to their guests.
Sustainability as a key to success
One of the most important areas for Utvalgte Hoteller og Spisesteder is the work on sustainability, which the organisation sees as crucial for the future of tourism. Sustainability is not just about the environment, but also about economic and social sustainability. The organisation works closely with its members to ensure that their products and services meet both today's expectations and the requirements of the future.
- Sustainability is something we believe will become the biggest competitive advantage for our members in the years to come. Guests are becoming increasingly conscious of sustainable choices, and we are working to enable our members to offer experiences that are both environmentally friendly and economically sustainable. From energy use to local food production, we help to integrate sustainable solutions throughout the entire value chain, says Laupstad.
The future for small players
With almost 20 years of experience behind it, Utvalgte Hoteller og Spisesteder has shown that small, independent players can have great influence in the market, as long as they have the right support. The organisation looks brightly to the future and aims to continue strengthening its members' position in the market by combining innovation with respect for local distinctiveness.
- We are proud of the community we have built up, our strength lies in the fact that we create room for collaboration without compromising what makes our members special. Together, we are not only building success stories, but we are also shaping the future of tourism in Norway, says Laupstad.
