Veronica Blumenthal

I am affiliated with MINA in a combined academic (Associate Professor) and administrative (Senior Advisor) role, working with research support, teaching, and project management. With a master’s degree in Nature-Based Tourism from NMBU and a PhD in Tourism (Experience Design) from the University of Stavanger (UiS), I am enthusiastic about bridging the gap between solid research, sustainable management, and practical application within the tourism and experience industries.

In my administrative role, I help strengthen the research community through strategic and operational research support. I serve as the project coordinator for the major EU project VIMAS (Visitor monitoring and management in protected and recreational areas), where we look at new challenges and solutions for visitor management in vulnerable natural areas. I also work with the ICP-V program, as a project assistant.

On the academic side, I am the course coordinator for REIS300: Nature-Based Tourism. Here, I bring in my background from tourism studies and experience design, as well as international experience from countries like New Zealand, the Netherlands, and Denmark. Alongside my work here at NMBU, I hold a part-time position at UiS connected to the research project IMMERSE, where we investigate immersive experiences in a museum context.

My research interests include experience design, sustainable destination development, visitor management, social sustainability, and second-home tourism. I am also deeply passionate about science communication in all formats, including podcasts and other fun communication platforms.