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How Airbnb Helps Latino Entrepreneurs Diversify Wealth: A Q&A with Jordi Torres
The Hispanic Wealth Project is dedicated to empowering Latino communities by providing education and guidance on new wealth-building strategies. We recently sat down with Jordi Torres, Regional Director for the Americas at Airbnb, to discuss how Airbnb supports Latino entrepreneurs on the journey to wealth diversification.
Jordi Torres Mallol is the Regional Director for the Americas at Airbnb, overseeing the company's growth and operations across North America, Brazil, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Based in Miami, Jordi has been with Airbnb since 2012, leading teams in expansion, business development, and analytics. With an engineering background from Universidad Ramon Llull in Barcelona and an MBA from London Business School, Jordi also brings prior experience from McKinsey & Company and MIT’s Biomedical Engineering Center. Passionate about travel, music, and skiing, he is dedicated to helping communities thrive through innovative opportunities with Airbnb.
Jordi Torres Mallol is the Regional Director for the Americas at Airbnb, overseeing the company's growth and operations across North America, Brazil, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Based in Miami, Jordi has been with Airbnb since 2012, leading teams in expansion, business development, and analytics. With an engineering background from Universidad Ramon Llull in Barcelona and an MBA from London Business School, Jordi also brings prior experience from McKinsey & Company and MIT’s Biomedical Engineering Center. Passionate about travel, music, and skiing, he is dedicated to helping communities thrive through innovative opportunities with Airbnb.
Q: How does Airbnb view wealth diversification in today’s economic landscape, and what strategies do you recommend for Latino entrepreneurs?
"In today's uncertain economic landscape, finding new ways to earn extra income is crucial. It's actually what led to Airbnb's creation in the first place—our founders needed a way to pay rent and pioneered the concept of short-term renting. In 2024, the typical U.S. host earned over $15,000 on the platform. About 45% of U.S. hosts say this income is vital for managing daily expenses, and over 40% call it critical to keeping their homes.
Latinos are born entrepreneurs, and Airbnb offers a path to embrace that spirit. Hosting is a strong pathway to wealth diversification and long-term financial resilience. It's not just about owning multiple properties—even sharing a spare room can begin someone's wealth-building journey. We invest in outreach and education through partnerships and Airbnb Academies to ensure as many people as possible know how to take advantage of these opportunities."
Q: Can you share examples of successful Airbnb partnerships or initiatives helping Latino business owners?
"Since 2016, Airbnb has worked closely with Latino organizations like UnidosUS, the Hispanic Wealth Project, and the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals. Our main focus is providing Latinos with tools, training, and networks to leverage hosting as a step toward wealth creation, especially homeownership.
In 2024, we sponsored Premio HOME with UnidosUS—a national competition for community-led affordable housing solutions. And through the Airbnb Entrepreneurship Academy, we collaborate with trusted local groups to deliver interactive training on hosting, financial literacy, and wealth management."
Q: What resources does Airbnb offer for financial literacy and wealth management for Latino hosts?
"Education is a core priority at Airbnb. Academies and training sessions—often run in partnership with Latino community organizations such as LULAC, Chicanos Por La Causa, and Servicios de La Raza—equip hosts with the knowledge to succeed and manage their finances wisely. We've also organized 'train-the-trainer' programs with the Hispanic Wealth Project to multiply these efforts across the community."
Q: How do you foresee Airbnb and the sharing economy shaping wealth creation for Latinos in the future?
"Platforms like Airbnb are more important than ever in helping people capitalize on real demand, especially with so many struggling to keep up with rising costs. We're expanding hosting opportunities to renters through the Airbnb-friendly apartments program and advocating for policies that empower renters. Building awareness about these options, especially within Latino communities, means more people can unlock financial resilience and reinvest in their futures."
Q: Any final advice for Latino entrepreneurs looking to diversify through Airbnb?
"My advice: lean into what makes you and your community unique. Travelers are increasingly seeking authentic local experiences, so sharing your culture can set your Airbnb apart and boost the local economy. Big events—like the World Cup—are also prime opportunities; almost 50% of our recent Latino survey respondents are thinking of hosting during such events. Start with what you have and let your uniqueness shine!"
Q: What does wealth mean to you, and how would you like your legacy to be remembered?
"To me, wealth means creating opportunities for family and community, and empowering others. I hope my work at Airbnb will help build a more equitable economy where everyone can participate and succeed."
Ready to start your Airbnb journey? Explore how hosting can be the first step to growing and sharing wealth in your community.
Disclosure: Please note that the information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice.
"In today's uncertain economic landscape, finding new ways to earn extra income is crucial. It's actually what led to Airbnb's creation in the first place—our founders needed a way to pay rent and pioneered the concept of short-term renting. In 2024, the typical U.S. host earned over $15,000 on the platform. About 45% of U.S. hosts say this income is vital for managing daily expenses, and over 40% call it critical to keeping their homes.
Latinos are born entrepreneurs, and Airbnb offers a path to embrace that spirit. Hosting is a strong pathway to wealth diversification and long-term financial resilience. It's not just about owning multiple properties—even sharing a spare room can begin someone's wealth-building journey. We invest in outreach and education through partnerships and Airbnb Academies to ensure as many people as possible know how to take advantage of these opportunities."
Q: Can you share examples of successful Airbnb partnerships or initiatives helping Latino business owners?
"Since 2016, Airbnb has worked closely with Latino organizations like UnidosUS, the Hispanic Wealth Project, and the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals. Our main focus is providing Latinos with tools, training, and networks to leverage hosting as a step toward wealth creation, especially homeownership.
In 2024, we sponsored Premio HOME with UnidosUS—a national competition for community-led affordable housing solutions. And through the Airbnb Entrepreneurship Academy, we collaborate with trusted local groups to deliver interactive training on hosting, financial literacy, and wealth management."
Q: What resources does Airbnb offer for financial literacy and wealth management for Latino hosts?
"Education is a core priority at Airbnb. Academies and training sessions—often run in partnership with Latino community organizations such as LULAC, Chicanos Por La Causa, and Servicios de La Raza—equip hosts with the knowledge to succeed and manage their finances wisely. We've also organized 'train-the-trainer' programs with the Hispanic Wealth Project to multiply these efforts across the community."
Q: How do you foresee Airbnb and the sharing economy shaping wealth creation for Latinos in the future?
"Platforms like Airbnb are more important than ever in helping people capitalize on real demand, especially with so many struggling to keep up with rising costs. We're expanding hosting opportunities to renters through the Airbnb-friendly apartments program and advocating for policies that empower renters. Building awareness about these options, especially within Latino communities, means more people can unlock financial resilience and reinvest in their futures."
Q: Any final advice for Latino entrepreneurs looking to diversify through Airbnb?
"My advice: lean into what makes you and your community unique. Travelers are increasingly seeking authentic local experiences, so sharing your culture can set your Airbnb apart and boost the local economy. Big events—like the World Cup—are also prime opportunities; almost 50% of our recent Latino survey respondents are thinking of hosting during such events. Start with what you have and let your uniqueness shine!"
Q: What does wealth mean to you, and how would you like your legacy to be remembered?
"To me, wealth means creating opportunities for family and community, and empowering others. I hope my work at Airbnb will help build a more equitable economy where everyone can participate and succeed."
Ready to start your Airbnb journey? Explore how hosting can be the first step to growing and sharing wealth in your community.
Disclosure: Please note that the information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice.
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