With the Kentucky Derby less than two weeks away and the summer travel season approaching, state tourism officials are in full advertising mode right now.
Now is the time to roll out the bluegrass carpet to visitors from far and near. Kentucky Travel and Tourism Commissioner Kristen Branscum admits the Derby attracts visitors through tradition. But Branscum says the term “Kentucky Derby’ can benefit attractions three hours away from Louisville. And the state focus is on out of state visitors.
“We focus on really outside of the state. We want to get those visitors from other states, other countries. We want to get them into Kentucky and spend their time and their money in our communities.”
New travel figures are due out this spring. Branscum says some 26 million visitors made a stop in Kentucky in 2016. She says the 1 percent state transient room tax garners about $12 million annually.
