- Field of expertise
- Project identification and development
- Awareness-raising and communication
- Stakeholder mobilisation
- Up- and reskilling of workers
- Green economic diversification
- Digitalisation and digital connectivity
- Country of residence
- Portugal
- Languages
- English
- Portuguese
- Spanish
- French
- Regional experience
- Médio Tejo
- Alentejo Litoral
- Matosinhos
Rita Marques is a faculty member at Porto Business School and has worked as a Secretary of State of Tourism and Services in the Portuguese government. While in government, she collaborated closely with regions like Alentejo Litoral, Médio Tejo, and North of Portugal focusing on their economic diversification. There, she supported R&I in SMEs within reduction in energy and water consumption, minimization of waste production and promotion of the use of renewable energy, while also promoting sustainable local mobility. Rita has facilitated numerous public and private initiatives, working on strategic frameworks that assist carbon-intensive regions in transitioning to more sustainable sectors, notably services and tourism. Her work emphasizes the potential of tourism as a tool for economic diversification, the protection of natural and cultural heritage, and the engagement of local communities in the transition journey. Rita has been awarded the Leadership Social Impact Award by the World Travel and Tourism Council in 2021.