Kentucky tourism had its best year in 2022, outpacing a record-breaking 2019 and surpassing pre-pandemic volumes of travelers.

In 2022, $12.9 billion was generated in economic impact and 91,668 jobs were created. According to a study by Tourism Economics, nearly 76 million travelers visited Kentucky, spending $8.9 billion across the state in 2022. More than $937 million in state and local taxes were generated, creating a $536 tax savings for every Kentucky household. Total visitation reached 103% of 2019 volumes, and visitor spending reached 112%.

“What an incredible achievement for our tourism industry: record-breaking numbers of visitors, jobs, and tax revenue in 2022,” said Tourism, Arts & Heritage Cabinet Secretary Lindy Casebier. “These numbers underscore the economic benefits of tourism and the importance of investing in our local communities. The investments made by Governor Beshear have paid off and will continue to pay dividends across the commonwealth. Every community in Kentucky offers a unique experience for travelers, and we are proud to support them in their efforts.”

The 2022 numbers surpassed the record of $11.8 billion in economic impact and 91,668 jobs created in 2019.