Just as many experienced at the beginning of the pandemic, the young communicator Gisbell Asanza He was also unable to continue working normally. In his case, he had to close an occupational art workshop that had become his business just a year before the health emergency.
“I had to close and I said to myself: ‘Now what do I do’”, recalls this graduate in television production. Traveling became a beautiful outlet. It is her favorite family activity. She says that it gives her quality time to connect more with her loved ones and learn from them; even most of her trips are accompanied by her father. And, thinking about the blows that tourism had received due to the months of confinement, Gisbell, better known as Gis, also wanted to launch a project on virtual platforms that could repower this economic sector from its trenches.
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This is how the Sin Camello account was born, which later finally became Gisaventura. It is a showcase of magical places and especially little known in the Ecuadorian territory. Gis considers herself an expert or, as she says, “the CEO in unlocking” remote destinations in the country. Most are places to enjoy outdoor activities, with adventure tourism or agroecological activities.
Although Asanza worked on other side professional projects along the way —as a communicator she even dabbled in public relations within politics—, for a little over a year the 27-year-old enthusiastic traveler decided to channel her passion and efforts entirely to the initiative that It had started as a hobby. And traveling also became her job.
“I believe that he who does not risk does not win… That’s what I did: I put everything aside, I quit my new job and I told myself that I was going to do something that would make me happy. So I dedicated myself to working on a whole strategy, because there are already many creators of travel content. I have to differentiate myself so that people want to follow me”.
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No studies of marketing, but with the curiosity of a content consumer, the idea of presenting hidden corners on the national map arose. “Whenever I travel with my parents (inside and outside the country) I realize that Ecuador does not ask any country for favors. Of course, all countries are beautiful, but Ecuador has wonderful things, and talking about my country on social networks excites me a lot”.
He currently has more than 169,000 fans on Instagram and more than 282,500 on TikTok, thanks to its animated video clips that include drone shots and in which the routes to reach each point are explained. “I am super adventurous. Today I am at the beach. Tomorrow I’m in the Sierra. This is how I enjoy life. This was what I needed.”
Gisbell Asanza has several dynamics to work with the tourist destinations and services that contact her, so that her tourist showcase is profitable at the same time. Depending on the circumstances, he explains, with some communities he prefers to work for free. “I don’t charge them, because they are communities that I know need the help”, she illustrates, because she considers that they lack diffusion, momentum and support.
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And despite considering itself flexible and open to all destinations and offers, it clarifies that in its publications it must always be transparent with the services available. “I report everything on my social networks; I am not going to lie. But everyone (the business owners of the places he goes to) have been very approachable, they always try to do their best, because they obviously want tourism to improve.”
Five magical destinations that you must visit, according to Gisaventura
“They are my favorite waterfalls; I love them”. They are located in the Las Naves canton, in the Bolívar province, close neighbors of Los Ríos (10 minutes from Quinsaloma). It is a tourist venture that has nine natural waterfalls and trails for walks that invite you to discover its flora and fauna. There are huts that offer the public various meals, such as fried tilapia, roasted chicken and chop, among others.
“I recently discovered this complex, which is beautiful.” It is in the Pelileo canton (Tungurahua). It has three magical trails where tourists can appreciate faces carved by artisans. It also offers camping and picnic areas, and a pool whose approximate temperature is 18 degrees Celsius. The food service includes roasted guinea pigs and Creole chicken broth.
An hour and a half from Guayaquil. “It is a very nice place to spend with the family. It has four swimming pools and the entrance is cheap. You can make roasts and you can enter with food or buy there”. It is a proposal for those seeking country experiences.
Traveling is also an exercise in rediscovering and falling in love with what is known. Although she had never walked in Baños, Gis had the opportunity to visit new places of interest that have just opened in the well-known Tungurahua spa. “Although Baños has always been touristy, when I went for the first time I found the Animal Park (theme park featuring an extreme slide), the first photo park Piqchur, which I found impressive.” And there are many waterfalls, highlights the woman from Guayaquil, who is fascinated by waterfalls, as perceived in her publications. “And that was only one day; I want to go a week to unlock a lot of places there.”
This is the “most hidden” destination of the Gisbell routes. It’s a bit complicated to get there, but it’s worth it for the snapshots that the digital creator shows. “Naranjal remains happening as such. you pass the community Shuar, about 30 minutes; there you pass Angelita’s farm. The entrance is in the Jaime Roldós enclosure, and that part already belongs to Azuay; in fact, it is in Cuenca, but it is a rural sector that is not the Cuenca that we all know”. According to the traveler, it is a two hour and fifteen minute trip from Guayaquil.
AND a bonus destination from this list is Zaruma, in the province of El Oro. “It is a canton with many aromas that leave you fascinated (…). It is a good destination for this holiday season. It has the best climate in Ecuador. I would like you to visit its lagoons, waterfalls; drink their coffee, eat their empanadas. And people have a lot of love to offer.”
Gisaventura plans for 2023
Gisbell rarely travels alone. If she doesn’t move with her father, she does with a group of friends. And hers two main safety tips from her: always leave her contacts with acquaintances, colleagues or friends in the areas she visits, for any emergency (which fortunately has not happened); and be respectful of nature to practice responsible tourism, such as not diving into the sea, for example, when it is strong or choppy.
With these guides, Gis wants to fulfill ambitious trips in 2023. For this year he has planned group tours in order to enjoy his enviable experiences with others. And trips abroad are coming. “In Myself bucket list I have to go on safari and live for a month in Bali (Indonesia): it is one of my dreams”. So very soon Gisaventura will be international. (AND)
Source: Eluniverso
Mario Twitchell is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his insightful and thought-provoking writing on a wide range of topics including general and opinion. He currently works as a writer at 247 news agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
