Kentucky Governor Beshear stands next to President and CEO of meetNKY Julie Kirkpatrick, holding the official proclamation designatiting May 19-25 as National Travel and Tourism Week in the Commonwealth. Hailey Roden | LINK nky

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear paid a visit to Newport on the Levee Wednesday afternoon along with several other Kentucky officials, such as Tourism Secretary Lindy Casebier and senior advisor to Beshear Rocky Adkins, to celebrate successful tourism initiatives across the region.

Hotels, restaurants, and attractions in Northern Kentucky, like the Newport Aquarium, officials touted, have allowed guests from all over the world to experience the wonders of this area for 25 years while simultaneously improving its economic development.

“We are talking about 12.9 billion dollars in economic impact,” said Beshear. “Think about how many lives that impacts in Kentucky…91,668 jobs of our people are provided by tourism.”  

  • Kentucky Governor Beshear stands next to President and CEO of meetNKY Julie Kirkpatrick, holding the official proclamation designatiting May 19-25 as National Travel and Tourism Week in the Commonwealth. Hailey Roden | LINK nky
  • From left to right sits Kentucky Governor Beshear, Tourism Secretary Lindy Casebier, and Senior Advisor Rocky Adkins. Hailey Roden | LINK nky
  • The Fuzzy Dwarf Lionfish at Newport Aquarium shows off its pretty (but highly venomous) fins. Hailey Roden | LINK nky
  • The Cincinnati skyline makes its appearance as Senior Advisor Rocky Adkins gives his remarks. Hailey Roden | LINK nky
  • Tourism Secretary Lindy Casebier highlights some of NKY’s economic improvements and accomplishments so far. Hailey Roden | LINK nky
  • Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear recognizes all the hardworking individuals that have collaborated to make NKY a prime tourist attraction in the nation. Hailey Roden | LINK nky
  • Sharks of all shapes and sizes swim over guests heads, like this spotted shark ray. Hailey Roden | LINK nky
  • Newport Mayor Tom Guidugli Jr. discusses the importance of connectivity in NKY, and gives thanks to Team Kentucky for their constant support. Hailey Roden | LINK nky
  • Newport Aquarium staff bring out their penguin named “Randy”. Hailey Roden | LINK nky
  • Randy the penguin wiggles in his handler’s hands as the crowds cheer for him. Hailey Roden | LINK nky
  • Say cheese! Randy the penguin smiles for the camera. Hailey Roden | LINK nky
  • Newport Aquarium Executive Director Rebecca Foster celebrates 25 years of tourism at the aquarium. Hailey Roden | LINK nky
  • Founder, Co-owner and Chief Executive Officer of New Riff Distilling gives his thanks to Governor Beshear and talks the significance of the bourbon industry in Kentucky. Hailey Roden | LINK nky
  • Guests walk underneath the 360 degree view tank housing sharks, fish, and more. Hailey Roden | LINK nky
  • Mayor Guidujli Jr, Beshear and Lindy Casebier try New Riff Distilling’s new bourbon. Hailey Roden | LINK nky
  • Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear takes photos with several community members following the proclamation. Hailey Roden | LINK nky
  • One of the many attractions that the Newport Aquarium has are the moon jellyfish, that glow in the dark underneath the blue lights. Hailey Roden | LINK nky

Hosted by meetNKY, this event also kicked off National Travel and Tourism Week with an official proclamation from Beshear and meetNKY President and CEO Julie Kirkpatrick, marking May 19-25 as National Travel and Tourism Week in the commonwealth. 

A few special guests were also in attendance, including Newport Aquarium Executive Director Rebecca Foster and the founder of New Riff Distillery, Ken Lewis. 

However, a crowd favorite was Randy, an African penguin brought out by aquarium staff to stand next to Foster throughout her presentation.

“20 million guests have experienced the aquarium with their friends, families, schools… whoever they came here with, and that is something we are so proud of,” said Foster. 

Following the presentations, Beshear, Team Kentucky, and members of the media were invited to tour the aquarium and its new octopus exhibit, “Ring of Fire.” 

“They [New Riff], this aquarium, this entire Newport on the Levee are incredible Team Kentucky partners, and they are great team Northern Kentucky partners,” said Beshear. “So it’s easy to see why people are visiting this region, your region”.Â