Governor Andy Beshear announced that 2022 was the best year on record for Kentucky tourism, with $12.9 billion generated in economic impact and 91,668 jobs.
“Tourism is essential to Kentucky and that is why I have made it a priority to support this industry. It’s thrilling to see our hard work pay off in such a historic way,” said Gov. Beshear. “From horse country and outdoor adventure to history, arts, culture and our world-famous bourbon, Kentucky has a little something for every traveler – but what really sets us apart is the hospitality and kindness of the hardworking Kentuckians in this industry.”
In 2022, 75.9 million travelers visited Kentucky, spending $8.9 billion across the Commonwealth, according to a study by Tourism Economics. More than $937 million in state and local taxes were generated, equating to a $536 tax savings for every Kentucky household. Total visitation reached 103% of 2019 volumes, and visitor spending reached 112%.
“We are thrilled to see such a strong return to travel in 2022,” said Mike Mangeot, commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Tourism. “We look forward to building on this momentum as we begin putting the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to work in communities across the state and truly making the most of this opportunity, reaching more prospective visitors than ever before.”
The 2022 numbers surpassed the previous highest record of $11.8 billion in economic impact in 2019.
At the local level, Marshall County also saw record breaking impact with over $85 million generated in economic impact, created over 700 jobs, and contributed over $6 million in state local tax revenue.
Marshall County Judge Executive, Kevin Spraggs states, “Here in Marshall County, our thriving tourism industry stands as a testament to its remarkable economic prowess, delivering an impressive economic impact exceeding $85 million. With the creation of over 700 jobs and the injection of more than $6 million in state and local taxes, the tourism sector stands as a powerful driver of growth, enriching both the local community and the broader economy. We are looking forward to a bright future for tourism here in Marshall.”
Marshall County has always been positioned to play a vital role in our regions’ tourism economy and last year was no exception. The county is home to the largest body of water in the State of Kentucky, adjacent to one of the largest outdoor recreational areas, Land Between the Lakes, and is the only county that has not one, but two State Resort Parks.
Tourism matters in Marshall County, and these numbers are especially telling.” says Elena Blevins, Executive Director of the Kentucky Lake CVB. “And with our fishery on the rebound as well, we are even more optimistic about the future. We would like to thank Gov. Beshear and our State Legislature for listening to our plea for assistance as we battled back from COVID. We hope these numbers reflect their wise investment in tourism throughout the pandemic and subsequent natural disasters to our region.”
For more information regarding our local tourism industry and potential investment opportunities, please reach out directly to the Kentucky Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau.