In keeping with a statewide trend, the annual survey of tourism spending in Kentucky shows an increase in Paducah-McCracken County in 2012. All nine of the state’s tourism regions registered gains for 2012 compared with 2011.
Direct expenditures in Paducah-McCracken County totaled $198,350,871 with total expenditures reaching $311,807,569.
“The dollars spent by visitors have strengthened McCracken County’s economy by creating jobs, supporting local businesses from gas stations to retail stores and generating tax revenues to support our community,” Mary Hammond, Paducah Convention & Visitors Bureau said.
Tourism is one of Kentucky’s top industries, with an annual economic impact in 2012 of more than $12.2 billion, an increase of 4.4 percent from 2011.
The annual survey also showed that tourism was responsible for 174,006 jobs in Kentucky in 2012, an increase of 4,078 jobs from the previous year. These jobs generated more than $2.7 billion in wages for Kentucky workers, an increase of $117 million from 2011.
Tourism generated $1.227 billion in tax revenues for local and state governments in 2012, an increase from $1.223 billion in 2011.
“The Kentucky tourism industry continues to do well, which is good news for all of us,” Gov. Steve Beshear said. “These figures illustrate the importance of tourism in Kentucky as well as in communities big and small across the Commonwealth.”
The release of the figures coincides with National Travel and Tourism Week, celebrated May 4-12 this year.
“We want to build on these successes and keep adding more attractions and jobs for Kentuckians,” said Secretary Marcheta Sparrow of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts & Heritage Cabinet.
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.