Maybe it’s easy to take cracks and swings at Kentucky, but people sure don’t mind coming through for a visit.
In front a large crowd Wednesday afternoon at the Slugger Museum & Factory in Louisville, and for a third-straight year, Governor Andy Beshear announced the Commonwealth finished its best-ever season in tourism in 2024 — racing past 2022 and 2023 efforts behind $14.3 billion in economic activity driven by visitors and their desires for destinations.
Beshear noted more than 97,300 tourism jobs are currently across the state, and over the last 12 months, Kentucky had more than 80 million visitors spending $10.1 billion — up 3.8% from 2023.
This included $2.6 billion in food and beverages, $2.4 billion on lodging, as well as $1.3 billion on recreation and entertainment.
Louisville, he added, remains the main driver — generating more than $4.4 billion in revenue, while propping more than 28,400 jobs — but several locations continue to see steady gains in visitors, and spending, since the COVID pandemic.
Aside from its rich scenery, popular waterways and acres of rustic country, Beshear also noted that Kentucky remains renowned in arts and humanities, as well as sports — both big draws for tourists.
Additional statewide efforts in the last year include:
+ $2 million in grants awarded to 87 tourism marketing organizations in 80 counties
+ $256 million in private investment through 10 new tourism development projects
+ $75 million in ARPA funding for tourism recovery and growth
+ And significant growth in the bourbon and spirits sector, with $4.2 billion in new investments since 2020
Mike Mangeot, commissioner for Kentucky’s Department of Tourism, said investments from this administration and legislature were “making a difference.”
(County, Employment Direct, Employment Total, Labor Income Direct in Millions, Labor Income Total in Millions, State & Local Taxes Total in Millions, Spending in Millions)
Caldwell County 93 140 $1.8 $3.2 $1.2 $11.4 $17.6
Calloway County 549 692 $12.4 $17.3 $6.5 $61.3 $86.9
Christian County 1,245 1,812 $27.8 $47.5 $16.3 $138.6 $243.4
Crittenden County 31 57 $0.6 $1.1 $0.4 $4.2 $7.2
Hopkins County 441 599 $10.2 $15.5 $6.7 $59.5 $87.4
Livingston County 123 174 $4.8 $7.5 $2.4 $24.2 $31.4
Logan County 151 240 $3.7 $6.1 $2.2 $19.8 $34.1
Lyon County 236 266 $7.6 $9.2 $2.9 $31.5 $37.6
Marshall County 638 755 $16.6 $21.0 $6.5 $65.5 $90.4
McCracken County 1,879 2,456 $49.2 $71.8 $26.1 $235.4 $321.6
Todd County 12 19 $0.3 $0.6 $0.3 $2.1 $4.1
Trigg County 167 216 $3.8 $5.7 $2.1 $24.3 $31.2
(County, Lodging, F&B, Retail, Recreation, Transportation, Total in Millions)
Caldwell County $2.32 $3.19 $3.20 $0.78 $1.87 $11.35
Calloway County $16.21 $19.01 $13.53 $4.85 $7.66 $61.27
Christian County $35.33 $34.12 $32.58 $12.86 $23.75 $138.64
Crittenden County $1.03 $0.71 $0.90 $0.16 $1.35 $4.16
Hopkins County $14.19 $15.76 $15.02 $4.14 $10.36 $59.47
Livingston County $7.84 $5.65 $2.20 $5.87 $2.66 $24.22
Logan County $3.80 $5.68 $5.16 $1.03 $4.11 $19.78
Lyon County $10.96 $9.27 $3.00 $4.35 $3.97 $31.54
McCracken County $59.75 $64.42 $51.30 $28.23 $31.70 $235.41
Todd County $0.31 $0.22 $0.67 $- $0.87 $2.08
Trigg County $8.16 $8.78 $2.62 $1.75 $3.02 $24.34
