Kentucky’s tourism industry generated more than $15 billion dollars in 2017.
Department of Tourism Commissioner Kristen Branscum said in a release Monday the industry saw a 3.8% increase over the previous year and supported more than 195,000 jobs.
Branscum said tourism is a ‘driving force’ for the state’s economy.
The industry generated more than $1.5 billion in tax revenue with $202 million going to local communities.
Officials say they will continue to build on Kentucky's tourism industries of horses, bourbon, music, arts, outdoors and food to attract visitors.