Tourism is one of our best industries, and it is growing

In Whitley County, tourism is one of the biggest industries. When I was on the tourism commission I kept up with all the numbers and it was big then. But since that time it has grown by leaps and bounds. Kentucky Splash and the Corbin Arena are just two of the tourism draws that have been added. Right now, the Mint in Williamsburg is bringing in big totals.

Don Estep is publisher of the News Journal.

For the past several weeks we have had stories in our newspaper that point to this area becoming a bigger than ever tourism location. The stories range from the expansion of Kentucky Splash Waterpark in Williamsburg to a new Marriott hotel coming next to the Corbin Center, to the big numbers at the Mint in Williamsburg, to the new Whitley County Fair grounds and moving on to the new race track scheduled to open this fall in Corbin.

When you start adding all the opportunities that are here now with all that are coming for tourism in this area, it makes Whitley County one of the top spots in the state. Obviously we have the big attraction with Cumberland Falls State Park, but in the last few years so much has been added.

In Williamsburg, Kentucky Splash is a huge draw and more is being added. Work is underway for for a new attraction called “Burg Island.” As Mayor Roddy Harrision described it, “Everything we are going to do over there in the expansion will hopefully give you a feel that you are in Florida at the beach.”

Adjacent to the Waterpark is the Mint, which is bringing in people from distant locations.

The construction of a 100-plus room hotel facility that will connect to the Corbin Center will make it an ideal location for conventions. There will be a walkway connecting the two buildings which will be excellent for a variety of needs.

Just a few steps away, Tri-County Cineplex is making some exciting renovations that will make it a destination that will be great for local people as well as an attraction for bringing tourists to the area.  Among the additions to the theaters will be an eight lane bowling alley, e-sports options, full swing golf simulator and more.

All of this is in the same area as the Corbin Arena. In the last couple of years the Arena has had a multitude of entertainment hits.

We were talking about all of this at the office and Mark White suggested when all of this is completed it would make a great place for gatherings like our Kentucky Press Association convention. No doubt it would, and for other groups like ours.

Visitors, as well as our local people, can now enjoy nine public art statues located throughout the city of Williamsburg. And in just a short while Miller Park will be open in Corbin. The park will include revamped softball fields for Little League play, a one-half mile walking track with exercise stations, batting cages, pickleball courts, a new concession stand and expanded parking lot.

These are some of the major projects that are available, but during the summer both towns have attractions for the public about every week. I suggest that you can keep up with the many activities right here in this newspaper.