San Diego Tourism Authority

The San Diego Tourism Authority mission is to drive visitor demand to economically benefit the San Diego region. Tourism is the second largest segment of San Diego's economy and employs approximately 160,000 people.

The San Diego Tourism Authority is a private, non-profit, mutual benefit corporation composed of approximately 1,100 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.

As a sales and marketing organization, the main objective of the San Diego Tourism Authority is to promote and market the San Diego region as a preferred vacation and meeting destination. The San Diego Tourism Authority also represents and supports the interests of the visitor industry as a whole. 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. The San Diego Tourism Authority also receives financial support from member dues and promotional assistance from the membership through donated in-kind services.

The San Diego Tourism Authority employs a staff of approximately 62 people. The San Diego Tourism Authority also benefits from a large group of dedicated volunteers who assist visitors throughout the region at three Visitor Centers operated by authority.