Inside Look: How Hector “Kala” Zapata Is Redefining Cool, One Port at a Time
If the term “sustainable tourism” is something that you have difficulty grasping, Hector “Kala” Zapata would suggest starting where it matters most: on the docks where tourism meets real communities, and where every decision leaves a mark. In Cozumel, Cannes, or the Cayman Islands, he’s built his life and business around making sure that mark is a positive one.
In a sector where growth and environmental responsibility often feel like opposing forces, Kala – as his friends affectionately call him – has quietly proven that they don’t have to be; As founder of Tripping Cool Corp, a company that began with just one employee and now supports more than 400 families, he’s found a way to navigate the complex world of global tourism, working alongside some of the world’s leading cruise lines, without losing sight of the communities and environments that make travel worth experiencing in the first place.
The CEO Who Lives for Today
For Kala, freedom isn’t about future plans, it’s about being fully present in the moment. “Freedom is living today,” he says, a belief shaped by years of personal and professional challenges.Of course, staying in the present is easier to preach than practice when you’re managing teams across multiple time zones and ports. His days often start before sunrise, and if his calendar looks like a puzzle, it’s because it is; each piece representing lives, livelihoods, and the delicate balancing act of running a business built on both ambition and responsibility.
Discipline is everything,” he says. “Without it, even the best intentions fall apart.
Tourism That Connects, Not Consumes
Working closely with the cruise industry, Kala understands that tourism has to deliver unforgettable experiences, but he also believes those experiences can, and should, leave a positive mark.He recalls visiting a once-pristine coastline, expecting postcard views but finding plastic waste tangled in the surf. “That’s not culture,” he reflects. “That’s what happens when we forget to take care of what matters.”
Rather than see this as a reason for criticism, Kala views it as a call for collaboration. Today, Tripping Cool works with cruise lines and local communities to create experiences that offer travelers something more lasting than souvenirs—real connections to the places they visit. Whether that’s meeting the fishermen who know the hidden beaches or supporting local businesses that keep cultural traditions alive, Kala believes meaningful tourism is good business for everyone involved.
Leadership Without the Spotlight
Despite overseeing a growing global operation, Kala doesn’t quite fit the mold of the modern CEO. He’s quick to point out that leadership isn’t about titles. “Everyone’s a leader somewhere,” he says. “The question is: what are you leading people toward?”His management style is collaborative and direct. He looks for people who understand that hospitality is about people first; and while Tripping Cool’s leadership team is growing fast, the message remains the same: take care of the people, and the business will take care of itself.
On the Horizon: New Ports, Same Philosophy
Expansion plans are well underway—18 new ports in the next two years, a natural park project in development and Asia set firmly in his sights. But even as the map fills with new opportunities, Kala remains committed to keeping things personal and purposeful.True to his belief that tourism should amplify authentic voices, Kala recently launched a YouTube channel, Hey Trippers!, where he shares his journey, spotlights local communities, and highlights the kind of genuine, off-the-map experiences that don’t always make it into glossy travel brochures.
His advice for anyone chasing a bigger life or a better business?
Don’t wait to perfect it. Just start. Stay disciplined, stay excited. The difference between people who succeed and people who don’t isn’t ideas, it’s endurance.And with that, he moves forward—one more meeting, one more port, and always, one more chance to turn good ideas into something real.
