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 $17.9 billion in regional economic impact in FY 2018, contributing to more than $895 million in transient occupancy taxes, sales taxes and property taxes to government entities, and supporting nearly 200,000 tourism-related jobs in the 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.
Breeders' Cup World Championships
The 34th edition of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships was held for the first time in San Diego at the Del Mar Racetrack and featured racing superstars who competed for over $30 million in purses.
San Diego Bayfair
A San Diego tradition since the 1960s, the annual family-oriented San Diego Bayfair Thunderboats beach festival is marching back toward prominence, thanks in part to its partnership with the SDTMD.
San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival
The San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival is one of the nation’s largest culinary events and draws more than 10,000 attendees who stay and spend while in the City of San Diego.
San Diego Surf Challenge
San Diego Surf is the premier youth soccer club headquartered in San Diego. The Surf Challenge is played each November over Thanksgiving week in North San Diego. The event attracts hundreds of teams and college coaches who use the event as a scouting opportunity.
San Diego Crew Classic
The San Diego Crew Classic is the nation’s premier spring rowing event and draws over 400 teams to the region each spring.