Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) Adventure Champions are the vanguards of the adventure travel industry, having been members of ATTA and leaders in the community for a minimum of 15 years. They are true believers in the power of adventure travel and have made an impact on the direction of ATTA and on the industry as a whole. To honor their commitment to their ethos and lasting contribution to the adventure travel industry, we are spotlighting Adventure Champions through a series of interviews.
Socompa Adventure Travel
Inbound Tour Operator
Headquarters: Argentina
ATTA Member Since 2004
Introducing Mariana Caliuolo, General Manager, and Fabrizio Ghilardi, Founder of Socompa Adventure Travel:
Founded in 2004 as a dream, Socompa Adventure Travel has evolved into a premier private travel company in the Argentinean Northwest. Fueled by a passion for transformative adventures, our expeditions blaze trails through the mesmerizing Argentinean Puna. The Socompa family has expanded to include a countryside hotel: Finca Valentina and Hostería de Altura El Peñón, in Catamarca—tranquil retreats curated for immersive experiences. Our commitment to sharing wisdom also gave birth to SocompaLab, which has so far provided education to more than 500 guides and tourism professionals. Today, Socompa touches many lives, uniting 60 passionate professionals in creating unforgettable travel experiences. Travelers embark on a journey, where every trail leads to a discovery, every moment is a celebration, and every adventure is a new experience.
Why have you stayed an ATTA member for 15+ years?
We have remained members mainly because of the sense of belonging to a community that has the shared goal of making the world a better place. ATTA is a strong association that builds significative connections and also a center of knowledge creation. The events are always inspiring, and bring progress for the business and for destinations as well.
How has your company/destination changed over the last 15 years?
We were a very small company at the beginning, in 2008 we had 250 passengers per year, nowadays 1000 per year. Our company has become more professional and we have been able to incorporate strategic components to our operation. Even though we are based in a remote corner of Argentina, with not much development, high index of poverty, and many challenges, we have kept a clear set of principles through the years to create high quality adventures with mininum impact and meaningful content.
What is the greatest force that drives you to work everyday?
The passion for adventure as a way to be part of a global movement to leave a positive footprint in the world.
What gives you hope about the next generation of adventure travel leaders?
That there is a clear path uniting conservation, social impact, and economic development, no doubt this industry can be improved and replace the obsolete ways of the classic travel and tourism sector.
What is your advice for young adventure travel companies?
Use your drive and passion for adventure as way to transform people’s lives, if people can change the whole world can be better!
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