SAN DIEGO — San Diego has a lot of tourism competition, and if you're a small, minority business it can be tough to make a name for yourself. But the San Diego Tourism Authority is giving minority-owned businesses like Ocean Connectors a bigger platform to grow.
Growing up in San Diego, one might assume hanging out on the beach and in the ocean is a way of life. But one nonprofit CEO says that's not always the case.
“You'd be surprised how many students have never been on the water, have never been to the beach, they just don't have access. There's no transportation, there's language barriers,” said Janaira Quigley, CEO Ocean Connectors.
In 2007, Ocean Connectors saw the need to educate children about San Diego’s ecosystem. Each year the nonprofit educates 10,000 South Bay students in grades TK-12 about being good environmental stewards at no cost.
But when the funds to sustain the programs grew, that's when Ocean Connectors dove into the eco-tourism industry.
“If you're going kayaking, you're learning as you go, and you're exploring the wildlife, and somebody is there to guide you so that you can see the rays and the kelp beds and the eels,” said Quigley.
The eco experiences stretch across San Diego County from paddling boarding to tide pooling and whale watching.
Tour tickets cost anywhere from $20 to $ 72, and that money goes back to its children's education programs.
“Our mission is about getting kids out there and learning to love their local environment,” said Quigley.
But San Diego’s tourism industry has some tough competition.
“As an advertising and marketing organization, we understand that half the battle is getting in front of both the leisure and business travelers that come to San Diego,” said Theresa Cunningham, San Diego Tourism Authority DEI, and Community Engagement Director.
Cunningham says it can be even tougher for minority-owned business owners.
“Our goal is really to support businesses owned by women, people of color people with disabilities, and members of the LGBTIQ+ community to tap into the tourism industry,” said Cunningham.
That support is being felt in the SDTA’s first of its kind Accelerator program that's currently taking applications for 2024.
Ten small, minority-owned businesses will get a one-year SDTA membership, networking, events, partnerships, workshops from legal to real estate.
“Honestly been such a game changer,” said Quigley.
Women-owned businesses like Ocean Connectors says they've been able to network and partner with big names.
“Action Sport Rentals, Paradise Point, Bartell Hotels, all of these big names that we otherwise wouldn't have had access to,” said Quigley.
Big business that's giving children access to San Diego’s coast.
“We're able to break down those barriers and get them out on the water and just the look of delight, especially seeing a whale in San Diego that's it's something special. It really is,” said Quigley.
To learn more about Ocean Connectors click here.
If you are interested in applying for SDTA’s Accelerator program click here.
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