Kentucky officials are citing 2022 as the best year in the Commonwealth for state tourism. The record last year outdistanced the previous high mark in 2019, just before the COVID pandemic came to Kentucky.
The report sets out that tourism-related businesses across the state generated $12.9 billion in economic impact and accounted for more than 91 thousand jobs. The Tourism Economics study indicates in 2022 almost 76 million travelers visited Kentucky. State Tourism Commissioner Mike Mangeot.
“Kentucky was a surprise to a lot of people. We were an unknown, so people came down, they could spread out, they could vacation in the outdoors. I think it was a combination of everything. It was our location. It was what we have to offer as a tourism destination,” said Mangeot.
And Mangeot said state funding of $88 million in targeted marketing was also a key factor in reaching a record level of tourism. When asked about breaking another record in 2023, the tourism leader said all numbers are trending up.
Andrew Steele is Boyd County Tourism Director. He said a historical racing gaming facility is slated to open in a few months while a new quarter-horse racetrack is scheduled to open in the spring of 2025.
“There’s no horse racing on our side of Kentucky, anywhere in eastern Kentucky so, I think the closest is probably Corbin now. But, we’re going to be the only quarter-horse racing track in Kentucky. We’re bringing a new horse racing industry back to Kentucky,” said Steele.
Steele noted an off-road park and arts center are already making a substantial impact. The tourism director added it’s becoming more evident that quality-of-life attractions are needed to catch the eye of manufacturers.
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