Business and leisure travel in Kentucky declined substantially during 2020 as the nation dealt with coronavirus. An official in Kentucky’s travel industry sees an opportunity for growth in 2021, but how and when remain question marks.
Although it’s just the first month of 2021, Kentucky Travel Industry Association President Hank Phillips says, so far, it’s a second year of what he calls “devastation” for the travel-tourism industry. He said it’s a race of sorts between virus cases and the vaccine to help quell the disease. And Phillips noted there is pent up interest in travel. “People are ready to do that. But, like any consumer, travelers need to have confidence and the vaccine of course is the primary determinant of that,” said Phillips.
While job losses or furloughs in the hotel business got as high as 70%, Phillips said most of these lodging facilities survived. The travel industry rep added federal relief dollars helped significantly through the payroll protection program.
Phillips said downtown hotels have tended to be hit harder with the loss of business conventions. He said outdoor leisure experiences in Kentucky offer the best chance for recovery this spring and summer.
Phillips noted his association represents some 200 hotels along with numerous attractions from the Ark to bourbon distilleries.
Here's more with KTIA President Hank Phillips:
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