Maria Athanasopoulou
Greece
Certification Inspector
Maria Athanasopoulou brings a wealth of expertise to her role as a Culinary Heritage Certification Inspector, primarily focused on Cyprus and Greece. As the founder of Respond OnDemand Ltd, a tourism marketing company established in 2009, Maria has been instrumental in promoting tourism destinations and businesses for over a decade.
Maria holds a Law degree from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and combines her legal background with deep specialization in sustainable tourism marketing. She serves as the Chairwoman of the World Food Travel Association (WFTA) and is also an ambassador for Green Destinations, showcasing her commitment to sustainable travel and destination development.
A certified Master Culinary Travel Professional, Maria has led numerous seminars, workshops, and presentations on sales, marketing, culinary tourism, and cultural topics in Greece and internationally. Her extensive experience makes her highly skilled at evaluating businesses while fostering sustainable growth and highlighting regional culinary heritage.
With her professional and empathetic approach, Maria is dedicated to helping businesses meet the high standards of the Culinary Heritage Certification System, ensuring that the rich culinary traditions of Cyprus and Greece are preserved and celebrated.
