It is the responsibility of SDTMD to ensure that San Diego remains a top visitor destination through funding the San Diego Tourism Authority and a variety of other local tourism promotion initiatives. Collectively, these programs provide a proven and measurable return on investment, averaging above $21 for every $1 invested since 2016. Read about some of our tourism successes below.
San Diego Tourism Authority
Tourism is the third-largest economic driver in San Diego – generating approximately $22 billion in regional economic impact, contributing more than $1 billion in transient occupancy, sales, and property taxes to government entities, and supporting more than 200,000 tourism-related jobs across San Diego County.
Holiday Bowl
The Holiday Bowl has been a San Diego institution since 1978 and consistently draws over 50,000 spectators annually, many of them non-locals who travel to San Diego specifically to attend the game, as well as millions of broadcast viewers.
San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival
The San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival is one of the nation’s largest luxury culinary events, attracting nearly 14,000 attendees and generating more than $2.1 million in hotel room revenue in San Diego.
San Diego Crew Classic
The San Diego Crew Classic is the nation’s premier spring rowing event, bringing 3,500 athletes and thousands of spectators to Mission Bay Park for a three-day international regatta.
Sports San Diego
Sports San Diego drives national and international visitor demand through world-class sporting events and, since its 2022 launch with support from SDTA and SDTMD, has positioned San Diego as a premier year-round sports destination.
Gator by the Bay
Gator by the Bay is San Diego’s largest and most authentic Louisiana-themed festival, drawing thousands of visitors each May to enjoy Zydeco, blues, dancing, and crawfish on the waterfront.
USTA Billie Jean King Girls National Championships
The USTA Billie Jean King Girls Nationals is the nation’s top junior tennis tournament, drawing 500+ elite athletes from all 50 states and spotlighting San Diego on national and international broadcasts.
United States Police & Fire Championships
The United States Police & Fire Championships brings together thousands of first responders from across the country to compete in over 50 sporting events across San Diego, driving room nights and visitor spending during the summer.
USTA Adult National Championship
The USTA Adult National Championship brought over 1,000 amateur tennis players to San Diego across three weekends, generating high-value room nights and showcasing the city as a premier destination for competitive amateur sports.