BENTON – The annual survey of tourism spending in Kentucky shows an increase in Marshall County in 2014. All nine of the state’s tourism regions registered gains for 2014 compared with 2013.
Travel expenditures by visitors to Marshall County increased 5.8% in 2014 with total expenditures of $123,561,514 and direct expenditures of $78,601,472. This compares to the 2013 totals of $116,787,821 for total and $74,292,507 for direct expenditures.
“Spending by visitors has strengthened Marshall County’s economy by creating jobs, supporting local businesses from gas stations to retail stores and generating tax revenues to support our community,” Randy Newcomb, Executive Director of the Kentucky Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau said.
The report showed that tourism had an economic impact in 2014 of nearly $13.1 billion, an increase of 4.4 percent from 2013. The annual survey also showed that tourism supported 179,963 jobs in Kentucky in 2014, an increase of 4,217 jobs from the previous year. These jobs generated more than $2.9 billion in wages for Kentucky workers, an increase of $123 million from 2013.
Tourism generated $1.37 billion in tax revenues for local and state governments in 2014, an increase from $1.31 billion in 2013. “The economic impact from tourism in Kentucky has increased by more than $2.2 billion and 13,000 jobs over the last five years,” Governor Steve Beshear said. “That translates to more spending and jobs in small and large communities across the state. I’m proud that our work with the tourism industry has been so successful.”
The release of the figures coincides with National Travel and Tourism Week, celebrated May 2-10 this year. “It’s great news that tourism spending is up in rural and urban areas all across the state,” said Bob Stewart, secretary of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet. “The growing impact of Kentucky’s tourism industry continues to fuel economic activity all over the Commonwealth, and that’s a great sign for our overall economic vitality.”
“The 2014 numbers clearly show that our industry’s work and advertising efforts are reaching potential visitors and driving traffic to the Commonwealth,” said Michael Mangeot, commissioner of the Department of Travel and Tourism. “Kentucky competes with destinations world-wide, and advertising plays a vital role in allowing us to showcase the authentic opportunities that set us apart with travelers.”
The survey was produced for the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet by Certec Inc., of Versailles. More details about the tourism economic impact study are available at www.kentuckytourism.com/industry. To learn more about Kentucky tourism, visit www.kentuckytourism.com