DEI Accelerator Program Helps San Diego Businesses Tap into the Local Tourism Industry
Applications open now for women, veterans, people of color, people with disabilities and members of the LGBTQIA+ community
Imagine taking your business to new heights by tapping into San Diego’s thriving travel and tourism industry. That’s the goal of the San Diego Tourism Authority (SDTA)’s third annual Tourism Accelerator program, which is now accepting applicants for its 2024 cohort.
The dynamic program is open to women, veterans, people of color, people with disabilities and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Ten participants will receive $14,000 in complimentary benefits and services, including:
“The program opened a door that I didn’t even know existed, and now I’m a dessert distributor for hotels, restaurants and caterers,” Chan Buie, a 2023 Tourism Accelerator graduate who owns Hey Sugar! dessert shop, wrote in The San Diego Union-Tribune. “I don’t have a retail location, and my business is way more successful than it’s ever been. I’m making more than I’ve ever made, but I’m working less.”
The award-winning Tourism Accelerator is the first destination marketing organization program of its kind, designed to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in the tourism industry. Tourism Accelerator graduates report an increase in business orders and opportunities, and a sustaining connection to program alumni and the SDTA network.
“SDTA is committed to ensuring that equity and inclusion are pillars of our destination,” said Theresa Cunningham, director of diversity, equity, inclusion and community engagement at SDTA. “With support from its program sponsors, SDTA’s Tourism Accelerator facilitates access to tangible resources and networks that may otherwise have been out of reach for populations underrepresented in the tourism industry. We see and value the diversity represented throughout San Diego and look forward to welcoming our newest cohort of business owners and leaders.”
Tourism is the second largest industry in San Diego, creating more than 214,000 jobs for San Diegans. In 2022, San Diego welcomed 28.8 million visitors who spent $13.6 billion in the region, creating $295 million in transient occupancy taxes, which support San Diego roads, parks, emergency services and infrastructure.
Applications will be accepted through Nov. 22, 2023. Learn more about the program and apply here.
ABOUT SAN DIEGO TOURISM AUTHORITY
San Diego Tourism Authority is a private, non-profit, mutual benefit corporation composed of approximately 920 member organizations, businesses, local governments, and individuals seeking a better community through the visitor industry. San Diego Tourism Authority 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.
