According to new state data, Kentucky tourism and travel saw a boom in spending last year, a total of over $13 billion. That’s up 4.4 percent from 2013 and part of a wider five-year trend.
All nine tourism regions in the commonwealth enjoyed the jump, including more than $400 million spent in Calloway and McCracken counties alone. On the other hand, Carlisle, Hickman, Livingston, and Trigg counties saw a slight recession.
Central Kentucky saw the biggest improvement statewide, while the southeastern area's growth was less substantial.
Below is a breakdown of total expenditures by region (you can find a regional map above):
Total Tourism Expenditures | Create infographics
That increased revenue also contributed to new jobs in tourism and travel. Those industries employed nearly 180,000 Kentuckians last year, up more than 4,000 from 2013. Our region, the Western Waterlands, makes up about 10,000 of those employees.