High tourism figures in Northern Kentucky boost the state's overall tourism achievements in 2024, setting a new record.
Record-Breaking Tourism Boom in Northern Kentucky
In 2024, tourism in Kentucky reached new heights, generating a staggering $14.3 billion in economic impact. This growth was particularly noticeable in Northern Kentucky, where counties like Georgetown and Scott County saw significant gains.
Boone, Campbell, and Kenton counties were responsible for creating 12,997 tourism jobs and generating a combined labor income of $603 million. The key drivers behind this growth include collaborative tourism marketing and funding, strong visitor spending, diverse attractions, and comprehensive state-level economic development strategies.
The formation of the Georgetown/Scott County Tourism Commission in 1974 and the enactment of a 3% Transient Tax have provided a dedicated funding source for sustained tourism promotion. This collaboration has transformed tourism into a significant economic driver, with the local commission fully funded by this tax and able to market the region effectively.
Visitor spending in Georgetown and Scott County reached $186 million, supporting 1,259 jobs, reflecting a growing sector that increased 4% over the previous year. Similarly, in wider regions such as Daniel Boone Country, visitor spending reached $561.2 million supporting nearly 4,000 jobs.
Kentucky's varied tourism appeal, from historical sites to state parks and arts, attracts millions. Platforms like Roadtripzee highlight travel experiences and correlate with over 80 million visitors spending $10.1 billion statewide, which includes significant contributions from Northern Kentucky counties.
Governor Beshear's administration has prioritized increasing tourism as part of broader economic goals, including investment attraction and talent retention. Programs like the New Kentucky Home initiative aim to bolster tourism alongside other economic sectors, directly benefiting Northern Kentucky through enhanced infrastructure and corporate partnerships.
The partnership between meetNKY and Visit Cincy has attracted about 4 million digital visitors in 2024, resulting in increased international and domestic media coverage, new airline routes, and unique events such as the America's River Roots Festival. This collaboration has also led to the creation of two new hotels, Candlewood Suites in Erlanger and Drury Inn & Suites in Florence, increasing the hotel room supply by 2.2%.
Northern Kentucky is known for its bourbon, world-class cuisine, and breathtaking outdoor art and recreation. The tourism industry in Northern Kentucky creates jobs, supports small businesses, and revitalizes downtown areas. In March 2025, Northern Kentucky had a hotel occupancy rate of 65.4%, above the national average of 63%.
The Florence Y'alls, a baseball team in Northern Kentucky, rely on tourism for support. The tourism industry in Kentucky supported 97,394 jobs in 2024 and attracted 80 million travelers. Tourism in Kentucky generated $6.5 billion for the arts industry alone and supported over 50,000 jobs.
Travelers spent a total of $10.1 billion across Kentucky in 2024, a 3.8% increase over 2023. $2.4 billion of this spending was on lodging, $1.9 billion on retail, $1.9 billion on transportation, $1.3 billion on recreation and entertainment, and $2.6 billion on food and beverage.
Karin Thomas, Supervisor of Commercial Laundry for Hotel Covington, emphasizes the importance of tourism to the local economy, stating, "Tourism is the backbone of our economy here in Northern Kentucky." Northern Kentucky was ranked second in the state for tourism impact, second only to Louisville.
In conclusion, the growth and economic impact of tourism in Northern Kentucky are driven by sustained investment in tourism promotion, strong visitor spending that supports thousands of jobs, a rich portfolio of cultural and natural attractions, and comprehensive state-level economic development strategies that emphasize tourism as a key sector. This multifaceted approach has enabled tourism to become a cornerstone of economic vitality in the region.
- Tourism growth in Northern Kentucky, particularly in Georgetown and Scott County, generated a combined labor income of $603 million from 12,997 tourism jobs in 2024.
- The partnership between meetNKY and Visit Cincy attracted 4 million digital visitors and led to increased international and domestic media coverage, new airline routes, and unique events like the America's River Roots Festival.
- The varied tourist appeal of Northern Kentucky, including historical sites, state parks, and arts, attracted millions of visitors and generated a total spending of $10.1 billion statewide in 2024.
- The tourism industry in Northern Kentucky not only creates jobs but also supports small businesses and revitalizes downtown areas, as seen in the flourishing hotels like Candlewood Suites in Erlanger and Drury Inn & Suites in Florence.
- Governor Beshear's administration prioritizes increasing tourism as part of broader economic goals, including investment attraction and talent retention, with initiatives like the New Kentucky Home aiming to bolster tourism alongside other economic sectors.
- The broader economy of Northern Kentucky is dependent on tourism, with the industry supporting 97,394 jobs in 2024 and attracting 80 million travelers, which includes significant contributions from the regions of Boone, Campbell, and Kenton counties.
- Karin Thomas, Supervisor of Commercial Laundry for Hotel Covington, emphasized the importance of tourism to the local economy, stating that tourism is the "backbone of our economy" in Northern Kentucky.
