San Diego Tourism Authority Announces 2026 Tourism Authority Cohort

The San Diego Tourism Authority (SDTA) announced its 2026 Tourism Accelerator cohort, welcoming a diverse group of entrepreneurs focused on community impact and environmental sustainability. Building on the program’s strong track record, this year’s cohort has expanded to include 15 businesses, up from 10 in previous years. 

Now in its fifth year, the program helps San Diego County business owners tap into the tourism industry, offering mentorship, networking, advertising and business coaching, with notable results. Sixty-five percent of Tourism Accelerator graduates report increased revenue, 45% created jobs, and 100% report increased confidence in doing business. 

“[The San Diego Tourism Authority] made significant impact on my business by expanding my network and increasing my business visibility, connected me with key leaders, and gave me a deeper understanding of the tourism network in San Diego,” said Felicia Booker, owner of Bloom & Rooted floral and plant design, and graduate of the 2025 program. “Every workshop, meeting, and event the Accelerator provided offered a moment to grow, learn, and elevate my business." 
 
The Tourism Accelerator is open to businesses led by women, veterans, people of color, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, people with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups.

“I'm pleased to welcome this dynamic mix of entrepreneurs with a strong commitment to sustainability,” said Daniel Kuperschmid, president and CEO of SDTA. “Their work supports a future where San Diego’s tourism economy continues to grow while protecting the places and communities that make our destination so special.” 
 
The 2026 Tourism Accelerator Cohort includes: 

• Baja Society Tours offer all-inclusive wine experiences through the stunning Valle de Guadalupe with expert guides, comfortable transportation, and personalized itineraries focused on wine tasting, local cuisine, and regional experiences. Their services cater to individuals, groups, special occasions, corporate team-building events, and private tours, ensuring safety, comfort, and memorable adventures. 
   
• Black San Diego is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization established to provide a platform for Black entrepreneurs, business owners, and professionals. Black San Diego hosts networking events, leads education informationals that encourage the start-develop-sustain ideology for businessowners called the B6 program, produce an online Black Business Directory, and curate an annual food and pop-up vendor festival, Daygo Eatz. 
   
• Binational Race is a one-of-a-kind running event that connects two countries, celebrating unity between San Diego and Tijuana through sport, culture, and community. Their mission is to promote tourism, wellness, and cross-border collaboration while showcasing the shared spirit of this vibrant region. 
   
• Let's Car'raoke is a San Diego app-based technology and entertainment car service company that transforms everyday travel into unforgettable musical experiences. They combine transportation, tourism, and music therapy to connect people through joy, storytelling, and song — making every ride an event. 
   
• HERE TOGETHER is a purpose-driven event and brand-experience studio. Guided by sustainability as their North Star, they create and produce experiences that connect people, inspire movement and tread lightly on the planet. From corporate gatherings to large-scale festivals, every event is rooted in sustainability strategies. 
   
• ICE POPS is a San Diego-based, minority-owned mobile frozen treat company reinventing the classic ice cream truck with fresh, all-natural gourmet frozen treat selections served from a futuristic electric “Icebertruck.” They deliver eco-friendly, inclusive joy at community events, festivals, and private gatherings, bringing frozen fun for everyone. 
   
• Luna Soul Wellness is a San Diego based holistic wellness brand blending astrology, human design, Ayurveda, and ancestral practices into workshops, retreats, and transformative experiences that support personal growth and community healing. Luna Soul Wellness creates spaces that help people reconnect with themselves while also uplifting local wellness culture through events, education, and soulful entrepreneurship. 
   
• MM Tours is a women-owned tour company offering public walking food tours and private, customizable experiences that highlight San Diego’s culture, small businesses, and waterfront in a sustainable, community-focused way. 
   
• My Brain Buddies is a purpose-driven, non-toxic plushie brand dedicated to promoting neurodiversity inclusion through sustainable products, bilingual education, and community partnerships across San Diego. 
   
• Sew Loka is a sustainable fashion studio in Barrio Logan that transforms textile waste into community empowerment through hands-on workshops, upcycling education, and immersive storytelling experiences that celebrate San Diego's diverse cultural heritage. 
   
• Stefanie Bales Fine Art is an award-winning boutique gallery and multidisciplinary creative brand offering original fine art, murals, bespoke home décor and accessories, educational workshops, and creative consulting for residential, institutional, and commercial clients around the world. 
   
• Swil Arts is a women- and LGBTQ-owned San Diego art studio that helps values-driven people keep the small moments that matter with slow-made, eco-conscious art rooted in California ease. Their prints, cards, originals and other products serve as soulful “snapshots” and postcard-like keepsakes — designed to evoke meaning and allow people to bring their memories to life.  
   
• The Vinho is a small business run by husband-and-husband team Leigh and Justin whose mission is to share the quality, diversity, and authenticity of Portugal’s most unique wines with the SoCal market. As the exclusive U.S. importer, distributor and retailer for 11 small batch, family-owned vineyards across Portugal, they are passionate about this wonderfully underrated wine country and champion winemakers who practice sustainable farming and low-intervention winemaking. 
   
• Vizcarra's Macarons is a mother-and-daughter dessert company offering bespoke custom cakes, artisanal macarons, and curated dessert experiences, crafted to order and delivered directly to clients for elevated private and corporate events. 
   
• Worthy Picks offers a curated selection of eco-friendly products, specializing in bamboo and organic cotton, to inspire a more sustainable lifestyle. 

“We’re excited to see this program scale and bring even more diverse businesses into San Diego’s tourism ecosystem,” said Theresa Cunningham, VP of People, Culture & Purpose at SDTA. “This program thrives because of our dedicated partners, sponsors, and alumni whose commitment makes this ongoing growth possible. Together, we are strengthening San Diego as an inclusive and sustainable region for both residents and visitors alike.” 

The 2026 Tourism Accelerator program is sponsored by The Shipyard, SDGE, US Bank, Cox Communications, and Alaska Airlines. With their support, each cohort member will receive $15,000 in complementary benefits and services, including: 

• Free SDTA membership, free admission to select events and special access to SDTA senior staff, board members and program investors. 
   
• Business services and coaching from the top providers in San Diego in finance, risk management, commercial real estate, operations and marketing. 
   
• A $500 voucher for a course through UC San Diego Extension. 
   
• A $1,000 credit to use on SDTA’s digital advertising platforms. 
   
• Connection to the SDTA Accelerator network of entrepreneurs and community partners, providing ongoing collaboration, mentorship, and opportunities for growth.  

Tourism is the second largest industry in San Diego, directly and indirectly employing 1 in 8 San Diegans. 
 

ABOUT THE SAN DIEGO TOURISM AUTHORITY  

The San Diego Tourism Authority (SDTA) is a private, non-profit, mutual benefit corporation composed of more than 1,000 member organizations, businesses, local governments, and individuals seeking a better community through the visitor industry. SDTA members include tourism-related entities in such categories as lodging, dining, arts, attractions, shopping, and transportation, among others, as well as other companies indirectly involved in tourism. Visit sandiego.org to learn more.  
 
The majority of funding received by the San Diego Tourism Authority is derived from San Diego Tourism Marketing District Assessment Funds. Lodging business in the District raise these funds through self-assessments for the purpose of promoting tourism in the San Diego region.