Tourism Business Accelerator Program

Building a thriving tourism economy depends on cultivating a diverse mix of businesses that sustain, promote, and advocate for Tucson’s travel and hospitality industry. Visit Tucson is committed to supporting these entrepreneurial leaders through our Tourism Business Accelerator program. Now in it's second year, this program is designed as an educational and networking initiative that empowers local businesses to access opportunities within Pima County’s $2.89 billion tourism sector.

The program is designed to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in our local tourism industry by providing business training and mentoring, networking opportunities, and free membership to local businesses in underserved populations; specifically, businesses owned by people of color, women, veterans, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Applicant Eligibility

Business must be based in the metro Tucson region and focus on tourism and hospitality.
Tourism business categories include but are not limited to restaurants, retail, attractions, transportation providers, galleries, museums, and meeting and event services.
Applicants may not be current or former members/partners of Visit Tucson.
Businesses must have been in operation for at least one year.
Participation in this program is open to local businesses owned by people of color, women, veterans, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Program Features

Selected businesses will receive the following benefits and services:

Six (6) business growth trainings led by subject matter experts.
Three (3) one-on-one business coaching sessions from qualified International Coaching Federation student coaches.
Tucson Media Partners advertising and promotion.
One-year free membership with Visit Tucson. Membership includes a business listing on VisitTucson.org, referrals from Visit Tucson staff, networking and training events, access to industry data and research, a complimentary seat in our Certified Tourism Ambassador training program, and more.
Exclusive access to key Visit Tucson staff and program partners.
Complimentary admission to all 2026 Visit Tucson events.

Application and Selection Process

Applications will be accepted from Monday, November 3 to Monday, December 1, 2025. A diverse panel that may include sponsors, stakeholders, and Visit Tucson staff will review applications and select participants.
Selection will be based on a variety of factors including alignment with the tourism and hospitality industry and dedication to community service, with a focus on supporting BIPOC, LGBTQ+, women, and veteran-owned businesses.
Businesses that apply but are not selected are eligible for a 50% discount on their first year of membership with Visit Tucson. ($200 value) You can learn more about Visit Tucson membership here.

Key Program Dates

The following are important program dates. Participants are required to attend the orientation, all trainings, three follow-up coaching sessions, and to comply with all survey deadlines.

Application deadline: Monday, December 1
Applicants notified and participant survey sent: Friday, December 12
Pre-program participant survey deadline: Friday, December 19
Business growth training #1 Traditional Finance: Tuesday, January 13
Business growth training #2 Operations: Wednesday, January 14
Business growth training #3 Non-traditional Finance: Friday, January 16
Business growth training #4 Marketing: Wednesday, January 21
Business growth training #5 Leadership: Thursday, January 22
Business growth training #6 Legal Compliance & Accounting: Thursday, January 27
One-on-one leadership coaching sessions: three sessions scheduled at the participant’s convenience, Feb-April 2026.
Program wrap-up survey sent: Monday, May 4
Program wrap-up survey deadline: Friday, May 15

Trainings #1-5 will take place from 9-11 a.m. Training #6 will take place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. All trainings will be in-person at our offices located at 115 N. Church Ave. Suite 200.

Subject Matter Experts

The following community partners are graciously volunteering their time and expertise.

Operations Training
Moises Gomez, Business Outreach and Resource Manager, Local First Arizona
Traditional Finance Training
Ricardo Bolivar, Branch Manager, National Bank of Arizona
Non-traditional Finance Training
Danny Knee, Executive Director, Community Investment Corporation
Marketing Training
Nicole Ellsworth, Associate Media Director, Madden Media
Leadership Training
Michael Tucker, M.A., PCC, Executive + Team Coach
Legal Compliance & Accounting
Odette Moreno, Owner, Sunshine Accounting
Melissa San Angelo, Attorney at Gust & Rosenfeld