Rika Jean-François, holding a Master degree in Social Anthropology & Cultural Identities, started her career in tourism as a tour guide and incoming specialist in her 2^nd home country Greece.

After university and research positions, she was engaged in the development aid sector. In 2004, Rika started to work for Messe Berlin’s ITB Berlin, the leading global travel trade show. She built up the fair’s social & environmental responsibility and was appointed Head of CSR, positioning ITB as a leading competence platform for sustainable & responsible tourism.

Working intensely with global associations, like PATA, GSTC, Roundtable for Human Rights in Tourism, the Institute for Tourism & Development, the Code for the Protection of Children in Tourism, IGLTA and the IGLTA Foundation as a member of their Boards of Directors as well as a jury member for international responsible tourism competitions Rika gained extensive experience and recognition in the field.

vAdditionally, Rika oversaw ITB’s main sponsoring Host Country Program and business relations with India and South Asia. During her time at ITB she also spearheaded the implementation of the Medical Tourism segment and the LGBTQ+ travel segment, expertizing in the areas of diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI).

Transitioning from ITB in spring 2024, Rika joined Queer Destinations S.L., a company specializing in sensitization training & consulting programs as their appointed Head of International Business Relations and also founded her own company, MissionRespo, developing and supporting responsible tourism strategies worldwide and speaking passionately at global events.