Kentucky’s tourism, leisure, and recreation groups are looking forward to a period of post-COVID activity. A strategy to be prepared for a time of increased business is listed in a new document.
It’s called Recovery Actions for Tourism or RAFT. Released by the Kentucky Travel Industry Association, the plan contains 40 recommendations to spur on recovery in the state’s travel and tourism business. VisitLex CEO Mary Quinn Ramer chaired the RAFT planning committee. “This industry was hit hardest, hit first, and will absolutely be the very last to fully recover and so we knew that we needed both a short-term and a long-term look at what recovery means for this industry,” noted Ramer.
Ramer said Kentucky’s hospitality businesses have taken health and wellness seriously. Some of the recommendations pertain to state government. Including one that Ramer said focuses on making sure hotel tax revenues collected statewide stay in tourism.
She anticipates recovery will be in small steps the rest of 2021, but there’s much greater optimism for 2022. Ramer added the Commonwealth is well positioned with many outdoor tourism locations.
Here's more with VisitLex President and CEO Mary Quinn Ramer:
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