Maria Clara Ruiz Zapata

About Maria Clara:

Maria Clara is the Managing Director of ZoOming.co, which she founded in 2012. ZoOming.co creates bespoke trips and offers signature experiences for travelers that want to explore Colombia and make a positive impact in the territories they visit. Their goal is for travelers to discover the charm of Colombia while supporting sustainable tourism, contributing to lasting peace, and enhancing local economies throughout the country. ZoOming.co provides unique experiences that focus on creating human connections through a blend of storytelling and cultural interaction. Experts at ZoOming.co have years of experience in fields including history, literature, anthropology, botany and ecology. Their specialized guides design activities including bird watching, mountain hiking, diving, horseback riding, water sports and agritourism. Maria Clara has experience in agricultural science, Colombian history, tourism product development, business innovation and management. Along with running ZoOming.co, she is also a Veterinary Doctor. She attended the Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin and was an Agricultural Business Fellow at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

What Maria Clara hopes to gain from the VV GROW Fellowship:

Maria Clara hopes to continue developing her projects in eco tourism and use them as a tool to enable environmental awareness, conservation and empowerment. She would also like to see women in Colombia represent and inform decisions made about the territories they live in and have a gratifying life, especially those residing in the countryside.

What Maria Clara can offer other fellows:

Maria Clara can share her experience working with cultural and gender challenges, finding innovative opportunities in tourism, and about the industries (mostly agriculture) she has been exposed to. She can also speak to surviving politically and economically difficult times. Additionally, she can share with other fellows her knowledge and passion about the history, multiculturalism, and the bio-diversity of her country.

Connect with Maria Clara on Social Media:

Website: www.zooming.co

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/zoomingtours/

Twitter: @zoOming_travel

Instagram: @zooming.co_travel