COVINGTON, Ky. — Tourism leaders across the state are trying to spark an industry rebound, but they are asking state leaders for help in doing so.
What You Need To Know
- Tourism leaders are asking state lawmakers for $75 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to help the industry rebound
- The state lost an estimated $2-3 million in tourism-related revenue due to the pandemic
- Northern Kentucky lost $700 million and 5,000 tourism-related jobs due to the pandemic
- A report from Louisville Tourism shows the city is slowly regaining tourism, but it is still projected to fall short of pre-pandemic levels
Julie Kirkpatrick, president and CEO of meetNKY, the Northern Kentucky Convention and Visitors Bureau, made a video asking state lawmakers for help. In that video, she said she'd like to see $75 million from the state's allotment of American Rescue Plan Act funds go towards the tourism industry.
“We need that money to open new markets. We especially need it to repair the meeting and convention industry. Here in Northern Kentucky, that is a big demand generator," said Kirkpatrick. "It is a big job creator. I know in places like Lexington and my good friends in Louisville, Owensboro, Paducah, Bowling Green, we all have needs to get this meeting industry restarted.”
Tourism Arts and Heritage Cabinet Secretary Mike Berry previously told lawmakers Kentucky likely lost $2-$3 million in revenue due to the pandemic.
Kirkpatrick said Northern Kentucky lost $700 million and 5,000 tourism-related jobs due to the pandemic.
Last month, Louisville Tourism provided a presentation before the Louisville Metro Council detailing the current state of tourism in the city. That presentation said tourism is rebounding slowly in Louisville but is projected to fall short of pre-pandemic levels. You can read more about the Louisville-specific tourism data here.