BOWLING GREEN, Ky.-May 15, 2012- Statistics released last week by the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet report that total tourism expenditures in Warren County increased by 3.5 percent in 2011 to $336.1 million, up from $324.8 million in 2010.
Tourism spending in the state increased by 3% last year to nearly $11.7 billion, and the industry was responsible for 169,932 jobs, up 674 jobs from 2010. Certec Consulting, Inc. compiled the figures.
“Our region has been fortunate to see a small increase in tourism spending year after year,” said Vicki Fitch, Executive Director of the Bowling Green Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Kentucky Living readers voted Bowling Green the ‘Best Weekend Getaway’ in April of 2011, several KHSAA Championship games held in Bowling Green had record-breaking attendance last year, and it marked the first full calendar year that the Limited Supplemental Guide Signs for the Historic Railpark and Train Museum were in place on the interstate.”
The ten-county Caves, Lakes & Corvettes Region in which Warren County is included saw an increase of 3.7% in direct tourism expenditures equaling $339,415,689, adding an overall amount of $533,561,463 in total expenditures to the region’s economy. All ten counties saw increases in 2011.
Warren County had the largest increase in the region followed by Barren with a 3.2% increase. Warren County again ranks 5th out of the120 counties in total tourism expenditures for the year. Jefferson County led with $2.76 billion in total impact, followed by Fayette with $1.77 billion. The counties of Boone and Kenton in Northern Kentucky were next with $1.3 billion and $955 million in total expenditures.
These state figures are coupled with the release of the National Travel and Tourism Strategy that elevates the travel industry to a national priority. According to the U.S. Travel Association, travel supports over 14.4 million American jobs and contributes $1.9 trillion to our economy. The full report is available at http://www.kentuckytourism.com/industry