Kentucky state government is preparing to pump $75 million of federal funds into boosting tourism across the Commonwealth. The dollars are divided up into four different pools of money to focus in on specific issues. Mike Berry is the secretary of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet. Berry said there’s been a targeted effort to promote Canadian travel to Kentucky along with motorcoach marketing.
“African American travel which we had never promoted before. L-G-B-T-Q travel opportunities etc, so, these dollars in this tranche will continue to allow us to expand that,” said Berry.
Some of the federal coronavirus recovery money will go to local convention centers or to facilitate regional tourism promotion. Berry noted a ten percent local match is required for participation in two of the four pools of the American Rescue Plan Act funding.
Berry said the state’s tourism industry registered almost $12 billion in 2019. He added it fell to $8.9 billion in 2020. Berry explains that Kentucky’s tourist spots didn’t take near the hit as some other states during coronavirus.
Berry said one pool of funding will go toward multi-county collaborative destination marketing.
“To try to market a larger geographic area or a larger area that involves the same sort of attractions.”
Other pools of money can help local tourism commissions operate facilities or expand convention business. Berry said Kentucky is viewed as a safe state to visit when it comes to COVID as it boasts a lot of outdoor attractions.
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