Maria Laura holds a Master Degree in Tourism Economics and Management from University of Bologna (Italy). As researcher, she has specialized in the role of sustainability indicators as policy-making tools in European destinations. She has a solid background in the private and non-profit sectors gained working as sustainable tourism advisor in Latin America, Europe and Oceania, in hospitality sector, tourism development, sustainability monitoring and capacity building. Passionate about the potential of tourism to create local livelihoods, between 2018 and 2019 she has delivered sustainable tourism projects in ten Latin American countries, working mainly with rural and community-based tourism initiatives to enhance the quality of their offer, improve their sustainability level and reach new markets. She also works with the Canadian Foundation Planeterra as the Community Development Specialist in Europe.