The San Diego Tourism Authority (SDTA) has selected 10 local businesses for its 2025 Tourism Accelerator cohort, focusing on supporting diversely owned enterprises in the tourism industry. Now in its fourth year, the program provides mentorship, education and networking opportunities to businesses owned by women, veterans, people of color, people with disabilities and LGBTQIA+ community members.
The selected businesses represent a diverse range of industries, including food and beverage, wellness, event services and community-focused organizations. Notable participants include Baraka and Bilal, a catering service empowering refugee women; Mujeres Brew House, San Diego's first all-female and Latina-owned craft brewery; and Purpose First, a nonprofit dedicated to community cleanup events.
Program statistics from previous years demonstrate significant impact. Sixty-five percent of past graduates report revenue growth, 45% say they have created new jobs and 100% indicate that they have increased business confidence.
"The Tourism Accelerator program underscores SDTA's unwavering commitment to DEI [diversity, equity and inclusion] as a strategic business imperative for our industry," said Theresa Cunningham, vice president of people, culture and purpose at SDTA.
Sponsored by San Diego Gas & Electric and The Shipyard, the program offers participants services valued at more than $15,000, including free SDTA membership, business coaching, educational credits and digital advertising opportunities.
"I loved this program,” said Diamond Brandon, a 2024 program graduate. “As a growing business, we were limiting ourselves and thinking small, and what SDTA poured into us over the year expanded our vision and made goals out of reach seem much more obtainable."
The cohort was selected from nearly 50 applicants, chosen by a diverse panel of business leaders and past program graduates.
Editor’s Note: This article was generated by AI, based on a press release distributed by the San Diego Tourism Authority. It has been fact-checked and reviewed by a TravelAge West editor.
