We are pleased to announce that our World Food Travel Association (WFTA), the world’s leading authority on food and beverage tourism industry, has named Anna Rinteinen as its first Ambassador in Finland. Founded in 2003, the mission of the WFTA is to help destination marketers and stakeholders to promote their culinary cultures to travelers.

"I am thrilled to have the chance to represent the Association here in Finland and help all of our fantastic local food and drink businesses to thrive," said Anna Rinteinen, Rural Women’s Advisory Centre of Eastern Finland. "I'm a firm believer that an area's cuisine serves as an indicator of its culture, and I'm proud to have the chance to help preserve and promote our area’s unique culinary culture through the Association."

As an ambassador, her main duties will be representing the Association in Finland, including fielding media inquiries, speaking on behalf of the Association at trade events, and general dissemination of food and beverage tourism information throughout the country.

Area Ambassadors represent the interests of the Association locally and bring awareness of food and drink from the local area to the global community. Ambassadors host local trade networking events, distribute the Association’s news to area professionals (translating when necessary), and assist with local food tourism projects as appropriate.

Erik Wolf, Executive Director of the World Food Travel Association added, "As an international organization, it is important that we focus on the uniqueness of individual culinary cultures across the globe, and nearly all areas have great food stories to share. As an area Ambassador to our Association, Anna Rinteinen will help us to identify and create opportunities to drive revenue for the area’s food and beverage entrepreneurs, increase visitor arrivals and tax revenue for tourism offices and governments, and identify new newsworthy stories for local media to share.”

About Anna Rinteinen

Anna is an experienced professional with over 27 years in the tourism sector. She currently serves as a tourism specialist at Rural Women’s Advisory Centre (RWAC) of Eastern Finland, fostering the growth of tourism and rural enterprises while promoting local food culture. Additionally, Anna coaches culinary tourism in the Visit Finland Academy, a national training program focused on enhancing tourism products. She has extensive networks, and a willingness to cooperate with all those who strive to develop and strengthen food and beverage tourism.