Too often, the joke is made that there’s “nothing to do” in west Kentucky.
Tourism spending from last year says otherwise.
The state’s 2021 economic impact data regarding visitors to the Commonwealth was released Tuesday afternoon, and Christian County experienced its largest-ever revenue tally last year at $212.9 million.
That’s more than $20 million than the $193 million spent in 2018, which was a pre-pandemic, post-eclipse world.
Hopkinsville Convention & Visitors Bureau Executive Director Brooke Jung gave nod to west Kentucky’s wide variety of options for travelers and tourists alike, with agri-tours, brew pubs, the area’s lakes and golf courses, and more — all providing ample opportunity for fun.
As far as Hopkinsville and Christian County specifically, the $2 million expansion of the Casey Jones Distillery should serve as one of the first massive signals of booming local tourism. Hopkinsville being named the “Batter Capital of the World” in 2021 plays its part, as well, as does the lauded success of Oak Grove’s Racing and Gaming — which first opened its doors in the fall of 2020.
In a written statement, Oak Grove Tourism Commission Executive Director Traci Cunningham said the events they’ve been hosting have seen “record attendance” — which naturally has translated into visitor spending.
An ebbing of the COVID-19 pandemic, combined with consumer confidence, has caused a travel spike nationwide, and Christian County reaped these benefits. Jung said more than 1,600 tourism-related jobs were reported in the hospitality sector last year, which generated more than $40 million in labor income.
But again, west Kentucky’s team-up has paid dividends, because from Henderson, to Hopkinsville, to Fulton and back again — tourists can find something to fit their fancy.
Jung noted that last year’s “Brew Hop,” which targeted most of the area’s top beers and restaurants, is one such example of collaboration.
Tourism in Christian County also contributed more than $14 million in local and state taxes, which get pumped directly back to consumers through development.
And that could increase. Announcements like Ascend Elements and Rural King, as well as Buc-ee’s in Oak Grove, are only going to continue to drive tourism and entertainment in Christian County and west Kentucky, in general.
In 2021, tourism generated more than $11 billion in revenue across the Commonwealth. Reported direct visitor spending totaled more than $7.7 billion, with more than 83,000 jobs and $800 million in state and local taxes collected.
We’ll have more stories on regional tourism in the coming days.
