FRANKFORT, Kentucky: Booming tourism in Kentucky in 2023 set new records, which included bringing into the state nearly $14 billion and employing 100,000 residents, Governor Andy Beshear said this week.
“We’re welcoming people to our new Kentucky home, one filled with opportunity and prosperity,” Beshear said. “Where we want you to come see what we have to offer, and then we want you to move your family here to be a part of it.”
The governor spoke among tourism industry representatives to mark the second straight record-breaking year for tourism in Kentucky.
In 2022 Kentucky saw a surge in post-Covid pandemic tourism, bringing in nearly $13 billion and employing 91,668 in tourism-related jobs.
Statistics from 2023 saw tourism revenue reaching $13.8 billion in Kentucky and helping to employ 95,222 people, Beshear said. Further, a recently released study reported that 79.3 million travelers visited Kentucky in 2023, up 4.5% from the prior year, he said.
Tourists to Kentucky flock to horse farms and bourbon distilleries, along with outdoor adventure, history, arts and cultural draws. Tourists are also drawn to Mammoth Cave National Park.
“With distilleries now in 42 counties, bourbon tourism is resurrecting Main Streets across the commonwealth and pouring much-needed revenue into local coffers. And there’s more to come,” said Eric Gregory, president of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, according to the Associated Press.
