SAN DIEGO—The San Diego Tourism Authority has named Daniel Kuperschmid as its new president and CEO, selecting a veteran hotel executive to lead the region’s primary tourism marketing organization. Kuperschmid was selected following a four-month national search conducted by SearchWide Global and an executive search committee of regional tourism and business leaders.
A 30-year executive with Hyatt Hotels Corp., Kuperschmid will assume his new role on March 24. He most recently served as vice president of global asset management for Hyatt, overseeing a portfolio of 42 hotels worldwide.
“Tourism is a critical economic engine of our city, generating $22 billion in economic activity and shaping our future growth,” says Shawn Dixon, chair of the tourism authority board and COO of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. “[Kuperschmid’s] experience and leadership will further unite our tourism community and elevate our destination, strengthening San Diego’s position as a world-class destination.”
Kuperschmid began his career as a sales manager at Hyatt New Orleans and advanced through sales and marketing leadership roles across multiple U.S. markets. He later served as general manager at Hyatt properties in Arizona, New Mexico, and California. From 2018 to 2024, he led the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego as area vice president and general manager, overseeing eight Southern California hotels. During his tenure with Hyatt, Kuperschmid led revenue growth and group sales efforts, oversaw major property renovations, and implemented diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives aimed at fostering a more inclusive workplace culture and improving guest and employee satisfaction.
“After 30 years with Hyatt, I am incredibly grateful for the experiences and relationships that shaped my career in hospitality and tourism,” Kuperschmid says. “Hyatt taught me the power of exceptional service, collaboration, and innovation—values I look forward to continuing at the San Diego Tourism Authority (SDTA). The team at SDTA has done an outstanding job in making San Diego one of the top destinations in the United States, and I am honored to build upon their efforts.”
Kuperschmid previously served on the tourism authority’s board of directors, including as board chair from 2019 to 2023. In that role, he helped select Julie Coker as president and CEO in 2020 and worked with the board to guide the region’s tourism industry through the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent recovery.
He also has served on the advisory committee for the Yes for a Better San Diego campaign in support of the San Diego Convention Center expansion and on the board of directors for the San Diego Tourism Marketing District.
“[Kuperschmid] brings a wealth of expertise in tourism and is an enthusiastic advocate for our travel industry, understanding its economic impact on San Diego’s economy,” says Annie Fitzgerald, vice chair of the tourism authority and general manager of the Westgate Hotel. “His extensive background in marketing and sales, combined with his proven record in building high-performing teams and managing multifaceted operations, positions him perfectly to lead SDTA into its next chapter of success.”
Kuperschmid takes the helm as San Diego’s tourism sector reaches record levels. In 2024, the region welcomed 32 million visitors who spent a record $14.6 billion locally.
Data from STR, a hospitality data and analytics firm, ranked San Diego County third among the top 25 U.S. hotel markets in occupancy, at 74.3%, trailing only Oahu, Hawaii, and New York City. The county’s occupancy rate rose 1.1% year over year, outpacing Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Francisco.
Kuperschmid holds a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management from Johnson & Wales University.
