Kentucky’s tourism industry is seen as a money making business in many communities across the Commonwealth. But, money to invite travelers to Kentucky still lags behind neighboring states.
Department of Travel Commissioner Mike Mangeot says the state spends just over one and a half million dollars in paid tourist advertising. Mangeot, who testified before the Senate Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor Committee, says it puts the state in 42nd place nationally in domestic advertising.
Somerset Senator Chris Girdler represents the popular Lake Cumberland area.
“A tourism destination in around my hometown is Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. And I’ve always said that particular area doesn’t have anything on my region. That was until I looked at their marketing budget. I believe we’re looking at Gatlinburg spending over three million a year just promoting Gatlinburg. I believe Pigeon Forge spends over eight million a year just promoting Pigeon Forge,” said Girdler.
Commissioner Mangeot says bus tour business in Kentucky has slowed in recent years. Tourism marketing veteran Sharalee Scanlon says bus operators are looking for new attractions. She believes the legendary ‘moonshine’ liquor offers tourist opportunities.
“They are clamoring for anything new because they can’t get old people on buses right now because the old people don’t want to do boring things. They go, we’ll do this. Everybody loves bourbon and moonshine. Oh, they’ll think that’s really neat,” added Scanlon.
Travel Commissioner Mangeot says Governor Beshear’s recommended budget calls for a five percent cut in his agency’s general fund. He says his department’s biggest tool is its website, which has seen an almost 50 percent increase in activity over the past year.
