Culture

Yalitza Aparicio Joins Airbnb as ‘Magic Host’ To Help Reactivate Tourism in Mexico

Lead Photo: Yalitza Aparicio attends the 2020 Netflix Oscar Viewing Party at San Vicente Bugalows on February 09, 2020 in West Hollywood, California. Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images
Yalitza Aparicio attends the 2020 Netflix Oscar Viewing Party at San Vicente Bugalows on February 09, 2020 in West Hollywood, California. Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images

Oscar-nominated actress Yalitza Aparicio (Roma) has teamed up with Airbnb to help reactivate tourism in Mexico, and she wants your help.

In its partnership with Pueblos Mágicos, Airbnb is inviting people living in 132 different Mexican towns (“Magical Towns”) to become a “Magic Host” and help visitors celebrate the Mexican culture and history only their pueblitos can offer.

As a “Magic Host” looking for others to participate in the initiative, Aparicio, 27, who was born in Oaxaca, Mexico, is giving other potential Airbnb hosts tips about what they can do to make their town attractive to travelers. Some of these tips include:

  • Welcoming guests with food and drink that is locally sourced
  • Talking to guests about the history, culture and legends of your town
  • Knowing your own town, so you can recommend places to visit and things to do
  • Creating a Mexican atmosphere, so it feels like guests are somewhere special
  • Having Mexican ingredients available for guests in the kitchen

    • On May 3 at 11 a.m. Mexico time (CT), Aparicio, who also works as an UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Indigenous Peoples, will be holding a webinar, “Tips to be a Magic Host,” to inspire people to open their homes in Mexico for future vacationers.

    If you live in Oaxaca and want to be an Airbnb host, just remember to have cups of Oaxacan hot chocolate on hand and you should be ready to make a great first impression.

    Yalitza Aparicio