San Diego, Calif.—The San Diego Tourism Authority (SDTA) has named Daniel Kuperschmid its new president and chief executive officer (CEO), effective March 24. The appointment follows a four-month national search conducted in partnership with SearchWide Global and an executive search committee of regional tourism and business leaders.
Kuperschmid brings three decades of experience with Hyatt Hotels, most recently serving as vice president of Global Asset Management, overseeing a portfolio of 42 hotels. He previously held leadership roles at Hyatt properties in Arizona, New Mexico, and California, including as area vice president and general manager of Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego, where he managed eight hotels in the Southern California market.
“Tourism is a critical economic engine of our city, generating $22 billion in economic activity and shaping our future growth,” said Shawn Dixon, SDTA Board Chair and Chief Operating Officer of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. “Daniel’s experience and leadership will further unite our tourism community and elevate our destination.”
Kuperschmid has been actively involved in San Diego’s travel industry, serving on the SDTA Board of Directors from 2019 to 2023, including a term as board chair. He played a role in selecting SDTA’s previous CEO, Julie Coker, and contributed to guiding the tourism sector through the pandemic and its recovery. He also served on the advisory committee for the Yes for a Better San Diego campaign and the San Diego Tourism Marketing District Board of Directors.
“After 30 years with Hyatt, I am incredibly grateful for the experiences and relationships that shaped my career in hospitality and tourism,” Kuperschmid said. “I look forward to working with the talented SDTA team to further establish San Diego’s position as a premier global destination.”
San Diego’s tourism sector continues to grow, with 32 million visitors in 2024, generating $14.6 billion in direct spending. Hotel occupancy rates in the region reached 74.3%, ranking San Diego third among the top 25 U.S. markets, behind Oahu and New York, and ahead of Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Francisco.
“Daniel brings a wealth of expertise in tourism and is an advocate for our travel industry,” said Annie Fitzgerald, SDTA vice chair and general manager of the Westgate Hotel. “His extensive background in marketing and sales, combined with his experience in managing complex operations, positions him well to lead SDTA.”
Kuperschmid holds a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management from Johnson & Wales University.
