Ranked by top totals for 2011, the latest year for which data is available
Kentucky tourism travel expenditures increased 3 percent from 2010 to 2011, according to data collected by the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet. More than $7.4 billion in travel expenditures was spent in Kentucky in 2011, the most recent year for which statistics are available. The highest expenditures were in the Bourbon, Horses and History region, $2.1 billion, followed by the Bluegrass region with approximately $1.65 million. Rounding out the top three is the Northern Kentucky River region with $1.62 billion.
The Bluegrass, Blues and Barbecue region – Daviess, Hancock, Henderson, Hopkins, McLean, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Union and Webster counties – had the most growth in travel expenditures from 2010 to 2011, 9.3 percent.
Jefferson County (Louisville)
$2.76 billion
Tourism region: Bourbon, Horses and History
Previous total: $2.68 billion
Some of the top attractions: Louisville Slugger Museum, Kentucky Derby Museum, Louisville Mega Cavern, Churchill Downs, Cherokee Park
Fayette County (Lexington)
$1.77 billion
Tourism region: Bluegrass
Previous total: $1.79 billion
Some of the top attractions: Keeneland, Kentucky Horse Park, Rupp Arena, Whitaker Bank Ballpark, The Red Mile
Boone County (Florence, Union)
$1.3 billion
Tourism region: Northern Kentucky River
Previous total: $1.27 billion
Some of the top attractions: Turfway Park, Kentucky Symphony Orchestra, Big Bone Lick State Park
Kenton County (Covington)
$955 million
Tourism region: Northern Kentucky River
Previous total: $922 million
Some of the top attractions: Madison Theatre, Northern Kentucky Convention & Visitors Bureau, The Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts Center
Warren County (Bowling Green)
$336 million
Tourism region: Caves, Lakes and Corvettes
Previous total: $325 million
Some of the top attractions: National Corvette Museum, Shanty Hollow Lake, Riverview at Hobson Grove
McCracken County (Paducah)
$299 million
Tourism region: Western Waterlands
Previous total: $291 million
Some of the top attractions: National Quilt Museum, Kentucky’s Western Waterlands, Paducah Riverwalk, floodwall murals
Hardin County (Elizabethtown)
$262 million
Tourism region: Bourbon, Horses and History
Previous total: $256 million
Some of the top attractions: Swope’s Cars of Yesteryear Museum, Historic State Theater, Hardin County Playhouse, Freeman Lake Park
Daviess County (Owensboro)
$258 million
Tourism region: Bluegrass, Blues and Barbecue
Previous total: $240 million
Some of the top attractions: Owensboro Symphony Orchestra, International Bluegrass Music Museum, Legion Park, Western Kentucky Botanical Garden
Boyd County (Ashland)
$172 million
Tourism region: Kentucky Appalachians
Previous total: $166 million
Some of the top attractions: Paramount Theater, Ohio River, Highlands Museum and Discovery Center
Madison County (Richmond, Berea)
$154 million
Tourism region: Bluegrass
Keeneland in Lexington, Ky.
Previous total: $143 million
Some of the top attractions: Lake Reba, Kentucky Artisan Center, Boone Tavern, Studio Artists of Berea, Battle of Richmond Park
Franklin County (Frankfort)
$150 million
Tourism region: Bluegrass
Previous total: $148 million
Some of the top attractions: State capitol, Buffalo Trace Distillery, Thomas D. Clark For Kentucky History
Laurel County (London)
$145 million
Tourism region: Daniel Boone Country
Previous total: $149 million
Some of the top attractions: Laurel Lake, Daniel Boone National Forest, Levi Jackson State Park
Scott County (Georgetown)
$128 million
Tourism region: Bluegrass
Previous total: $125 million
Some of the top attractions: Georgetown College, Yuko-En Japanese Friendship Garden, Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Home
Christian County (Hopkinsville)
$119 million
Tourism region: Western Waterlands
Previous total: $113 million
Some of the top attractions: Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, Alhambra Theatre, Trail of Tears Park, Kentucky Veterans Cemetery
Campbell County (Alexandria, Newport)
$115 million
Tourism region: Northern Kentucky River
Previous total: $111 million
Some of the top attractions: Newport on the Levee, Newport Aquarium, Northern Kentucky Symphony, riverboats
http://www.lanereport.com/20453/2013/04/the-lane-list-top-counties-for-tourism-travel-expenditures/