Vebjørn Andresen (44) Appointed CEO of The Whale Drift AS

30.6.2026

In less than a year, the doors to The Whale will open in Andenes—one of Europe's most talked-about tourism projects and a new international center for experiences, research, and education about the ocean. The iconic building, designed by the award-winning Danish architecture firm Dorte Mandrup, is currently rising at the edge of the ocean in one of the world's premier whale-watching regions. However, even the most spectacular building is only a shell without the people who will fill it with content, knowledge, and memorable experiences.

Therefore, the Board's decision to appoint Vebjørn Andresen as the company's first Chief Executive Officer marks an important turning point in the project’s development.

Transitioning from Construction Project to Commercial Operation

"This is one of the most important decisions we have made since the project was established. The Whale will be much more than an attraction. We will foster a deeper understanding of the ocean through experiences, research, and education, while simultaneously contributing to new value creation, more year-round jobs, and a stronger tourism industry in Northern Norway. To succeed, we need a leader capable of building our organization, culture, and international standing. We believe Vebjørn is precisely the right person to do that," says Chairman of the Board Benn Eidissen.

A leader for the next phase

Following a comprehensive recruitment process, the Board was unanimous in its decision. The Board emphasized four key areas regarding Vebjørn’s appointment:

• Proven ability to build and develop strong organizations.
• Extensive commercial experience from international tourism and the experience economy.
• Deep local and regional roots combined with a broad national and international network.
• The ability to unite The Whale’s societal mission with professional, sustainable, and profitable operations.

Andresen comes from the position of Managing Director at Visit Vesterålen. Previously, he served as CEO at Hurtigruten Svalbard and 62°NORD in Sunnmøre, leading operations across hotels, experiences, dining, and destination development. Throughout his career, he has worked at the intersection of commercial development, destination building, and experience production—expertise that will be vital as The Whale establishes itself in the international market. "Vebjørn has demonstrated that he can develop people, products, and organizations simultaneously. He possesses the commercial insight required to succeed globally, alongside a firm belief that local roots and regional value creation are prerequisites for long-term success. That balance is exactly what The Whale needs," says Eidissen.

Building the organization

As CEO, Andresen will be responsible for building the organization that will open and operate The Whale. This includes recruiting staff, establishing sales and distribution channels, developing commercial products, building a strong organizational culture, and ensuring guests encounter world-class experiences from day one.

"The Whale is a project that has drawn international attention long before its opening. It combines nature, research, architecture, and storytelling in a way that is unique - not just in Norway, but globally. I look forward to building an organization defined by pride, quality, and curiosity, and to developing The Whale into an attraction people travel from afar to experience. At the same time, we will create lasting jobs, strengthen tourism, and drive new value creation in the region," says Andresen.

More than a new attraction

The Whale represents a total investment of approximately NOK 638 million and is among the largest tourism investments in Northern Norway in recent years. The project is designed to become an international reference point at the crossroads of nature-based tourism, research, architecture, and sustainability. The ambition is to demonstrate how knowledge sharing and immersive experiences can foster a deeper understanding of the ocean, while driving year-round tourism, job creation, and sustainable value creation in an Arctic coastal community.

Andresen will take up his position on October 1, 2026. Currently residing in Sortland, he will relocate to Andenes.