PhD. Manuel Rivera is a professor in the Department of Geography and Territory Sciences of the University of Córdoba (Spain). Expert in Local Development from the former Institute of Promotion and Support for Development (IPADE) of Madrid and Expert in Tourism and Sustainable Development by the International Labor Organization (ILO).

He is also an official on leave of absence from the Higher Optional Body of Geographers of the Andalusian Government, where he has had various management responsibilities in the Tourism and Sports Areas. And he is currently Director of the Center for Tourism Analysis and Forecasting at the University of Córdoba and Director of the International Journal of Tourism, Business and Territory (RITUREM).

He has published numerous works on sports nature tourism in Spain and Andalusia, including some specific content on surf tourism and sustainable development, as well as on water sports in coastal and marine areas.