Tourism generates big bucks both statewide, locally

When it comes to the economy, tourism generates some big bucks in Kentucky and locally, but I daresay that most people don’t realize just how big that the economic impact is.

Mark White is Editor of The News Journal.

Some recent numbers might surprise you.

In 2022, Kentucky tourism generated $12.9 billion in total economic impact and generated 91,668 jobs statewide, according to recent report for the Kentucky Department of Tourism, which was conducted by Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics Company.

There was $8.9 billion in direct visitor spending, which resulted in $937 million in state and local taxes that were generated, according to the report.

With tourism draws like Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, The Corbin Arena and the Kentucky Splash Waterpark, tourism accounted for 604 direct jobs resulting in $12.5 million in direct labor income in 2022 in Whitley County. Tourism in Whitley County generated $9.5 million in state and local taxes and resulted in $86.4 million in direct spending in 2022 and $113.5 million in total spending.

The tourism impact in neighboring Laurel County, which features Laurel Lake among other things, is slightly bigger.

In 2022, tourism led to the direct employment of 712 people in Laurel County resulting in $17.1 million in direct labor income. Tourism accounted for $10.7 million in state and local taxes in Laurel County, $94.3 million in direct spending and $134.1 million in total tourism spending in 2022.

In other words, tourists spend a lot of money where ever they go. Some of it is on things, such as admission fees to waterparks and arenas, souvenirs, and hotel rooms.

Other money is spent on indirect items, such as meals at local restaurants while they are here, or filling up their gas tanks and buying ice for their coolers at local gas stations.

Tourism success in this area isn’t accidental.

You also have to give credit to local governments for making efforts to increase tourism locally. Corbin and Williamsburg both have active tourism commissions and tourism directors.

Both have done things to increase tourism locally.

Corbin moved the 2132 locomotive to town along with its coal car and caboose and refurbished those. The backdoor to the News Journal’s office is maybe 150 feet from the locomotive and I see multiple people over there every day either taking pictures of it or having pictures taken there.

There are also things like Sanders Park and the statute of Colonel Harland Sanders, which also draws visitors every day.

On a smaller scale, Williamsburg installed nine statutes throughout town last year in addition to ones that are up at University of the Cumberlands.

Then there are private investments, such as The Mint gaming hall off Exit 11 in Williamsburg, which features 250 “historical wagering machines” in addition to a pretty good restaurant.

When it comes to tourism, not every community is as lucky as Whitley and Laurel County, which have either big manmade or naturally occurring tourism draws.

For instance, in 2022, tourism was only directly responsible for 61 direct jobs in Knox County, which had $23.3 million in total tourism spending.

I bet the new Cumberland Run race track, which is just off the Corbin bypass in Knox County and will host its first race this fall, will increase those numbers though.