Tourism activity supported 12,227 jobs and generated approximately $556 million in wages, benefits and other labor income in Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties in 2022, according to a 2023 state economic impact report.
Overall, the three counties were responsible for 13.4% of tourism-supported jobs in Kentucky in 2022, according to the report generated by research firm Tourism Economics for the Kentucky Department of Tourism. Boone County had the most tourism-supported jobs in 2022 at 6,478, followed by Kenton County (4,363) and Campbell County (1,386), per the report.
Boone County tourism also generated the most labor income (defined by Tourism Economics as “wages, salaries, proprietor income and benefits supported by visitor spending”). According to the report, $363.1 million in Boone County labor income was generated by tourism activity last year. Kenton County’s labor income total from tourism was $149 million, with Campbell County at $44.4 million.
Total tourism-related spending for all three counties in 2022 totaled $1.9 billion, the report said.
Statewide tourism economic impact in 2022 totaled a record $12.9 billion and supported 91,668 jobs across the commonwealth, per the report. That beats a 2019 record of $11.8 billion in tourism economic impact in Kentucky.
COVID-19 relief funds gave a boost
Funding to boost the state’s tourism industry in the aftermath of COVID-19 was added to the current state budget passed by the Kentucky General Assembly in 2022. That funding included $75 million in American Rescue Plan (2021) federal pandemic relief funds.
According to a key lawmaker, the results of that funding are now evident in the NKY region.
Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer (R-Georgetown) released a statement on Thursday explaining how tourism appropriations this budget cycle have benefited NKY. Besides some direct appropriations for counties, Thayer reported the Northern Kentucky Convention and Visitors’ Bureau (MeetNKY) has received $5 million in awards under the $75 million appropriation.
Additionally, MeetNKY has received $1.77 million for specific projects that include the following, according to a press release from the state Senate Majority Caucus:
Kentucky Faith Trail project – $305,000
Bourbon & Belonging Week project – $165,000
Bourbon Trail Refresh project – $300,000
Kentucky Cuisine – $500,000
Distilled in Kentucky – $500,000
“Across our region, we have numerous important tourist attractions,” Thayer said Thursday. “I know the importance of these attractions in terms of jobs in my community, and I knew we had to prioritize funding support for the tourism industry. I’m thrilled to see the direct impact of those funds,” in NKY.