Whitney Knollenberg

Dr. Whitney Knollenberg is an Associate Professor in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management at North Carolina State University (NC State), part of the College of Natural Resources. She holds a Ph.D. in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Virginia Tech, an M.S. in Sustainable Tourism from East Carolina University, and a B.S. in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Resources from Michigan State University.

Her research focuses on sustainable tourism development, emphasizing leadership roles in planning, policy, and partnerships. Key areas include agritourism, rural tourism, and community-based strategies for fostering economic and social resilience. She explores how tourism can empower marginalized groups, such as through women’s empowerment in Andean communities and Hispanic migrant integration in coastal tourism economies.

Dr. Knollenberg’s work spans academic and applied contexts. Notable projects include studies on disaster recovery in tourism-dependent coastal communities (e.g., Ocracoke Island), craft beverage tourism development, and the role of agritourism in enhancing agricultural literacy among children. Her grants include funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission, USDA, and NC Sea Grant, among others.

Her awards include the 2018 Travel and Tourism Research Association Rising Star Award and the 2015 Virginia Tech Outstanding Dissertation Award. She actively collaborates with industry partners, such as the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau and the NC State Park system, to translate research into actionable strategies for advocacy, policy, and community resilience.

Key grants include projects on equitable state park pricing strategies, disaster preparedness hubs for coastal communities, and leveraging agritourism mobile apps for economic impact. Her research consistently bridges academic rigor with real-world applications to address tourism’s challenges and opportunities in sustainability and equity.