My name is María García Santiago, I am from the Latuvi community that is part of the Pueblos Mancomunados [Commonwealth of Villages]. Since I was little I loved the mountains. When I was 8 years old we migrated with my family to the city of Oaxaca. At 18 years I migrated to the United States to the very beautiful state of Oregon. After 5 years I returned to Mexico to my state of Oaxaca and my village of Latuvi. I found an opportunity to work for a company looking for a receptionist, preferably one who spoke English. I only spoke 40% English but it was enough, and I learned more with the tourists. This job gave me a completely new way of looking at life.

My job has changed my life! I always thought about working in Government behind a desk. My job has taught me – and the people who visit us – to live to enjoy and value our forest, waterfalls, all the nature that we have in the communities in Oaxaca and Mexico and, mainly, to appreciate and value our people.

I really like this job because you meet many people from different countries. I get the satisfaction of generating travel experiences for them and helping them meet the people of the Pueblos, while generating economic benefit for the people of the community. 

COVID-19 has had a very strong impact. All the services have been stopped for more than 10 months and without certainty on when they will open again. The priority of the communities is to save the lives of the citizens and, mainly, the old people who live in the towns. Also, it is a challenge for us to create alternative income to keep the company going.

I really like and miss travelling with my friends and family, seeing how my parents and children enjoy each place we visit and how that makes us think about the next trip. 

Travel is definitely living.

WTTC thanks María for sharing her story from Oaxaca, Mexico!