Tourism Accelerator in the News
Coverage of the SDTA's successful business development program
Through our award-winning Tourism Accelerator program, small businesses owned by women, veterans, people of color, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, and other types of underrepresented groups, we work to provide news coverage of these growing business to help them to tap into the tourism industry and elevate their businesses to the next level.
In 2022, 28 million visitors made their way to San Diego and spent about $11 billion dollars. KPBS reporter Melissa Mae says the San Diego Tourism Authority is helping underrepresented business owners tap into the tourism economy with their Tourism Accelerator cohort.
2024
Application announcements:
- NBC 7 featuring Theresa and Game Face Academy
Cohort coverage:
- KUSI featuring Blulite Bonfires
- San Diego Business Journal featuring Ringer's Roller Rink
- KSDY50 featuring The Studio Door
- KSDY50 featuring Mya's Catering Company
- KSDY50 featuring The Mental Bar
- KSDY50 featuring Danielle Monique Designs
- KSDY50 featuring Blulite Bonfires
- KSDY50 featuring Neet Sheets
- KSDY50 featuring Point Loma Tea
- KSDY50 featuring S&S Friendly Ranch
- KSDY50 featuring Ringer’s Roller Rink
- ABC 10News featuring featuring The Mental Bar
2023
Application announcements:
Cohort coverage:
- KPBS featuring Kebab Craft
- NBC 7 featuring Ortega’s and JA Cooley Museum
- East County Californian featuring Ocean Connectors
- San Diego Business Journal featuring Hey Sugar
- San Diego Union-Tribune featuring FeMaven Getaways
- San Diego Union-Tribune featuring Julie Coker
- San Diego Union-Tribune featuring Hey Sugar
- CBS 8 features Ocean Connectors
- CBS 8 featuring Hey Sugar
2022
- San Diego tourism bureau offers businesses freebies in move to be more inclusive
- https://www.cbs8.com/video/news/local/morning-extra/san-diego-tourism-authority-launches-program-to-showcase-citys-diversity/509-620b7b05-c64d-4646-8a87-6743f2182dc4
- https://www.travelpulse.com/news/destinations/san-diego-tourism-authority-moves-to-be-more-inclusive.html
- https://www.10news.com/community/stories-for-change/san-diego-tourism-authority-offering-boost-to-local-businesses https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rG8wiSQBNEo Channel 10 follow up
- https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/story/2021-12-07/san-diego-tourism-authority-picks-10-businesses-for-accelerator-to-reflect-diversity-of-the-region
- https://www.travelpulse.com/news/destinations/san-diego-kicks-off-diversity-initiative.html
- https://www.10news.com/community/stories-for-change/san-diego-tourism-authority-accelerator-program-supports-diverse-businesses
- https://www.cbs8.com/video/news/local/the-four/10-local-businesses-chosen-in-san-diego-tourism-authoritys-new-tourism-accelerator-program/509-213107e9-928f-4bb7-808f-70336e22e3ac
- https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/community/our-community/san-diego-tourism-authority-small-businesses-diverse-communities-diversity-equity-inclusion/509-1b836a96-b904-4498-a1b7-5b160405e7d3