FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) – Governor Andy Beshear announced Wednesday that the state has allocated $ 5 million in federal CARES Act funding to strengthen the state’s tourism industry by promoting safe travel to all 120 Kentucky counties.

With most travel restrictions lifted in the US, state officials are preparing the tourism industry for growth by developing marketing efforts to reach multicultural, national and international audiences. The diverse marketing efforts focus on vacation travel as well as attracting meetings and sporting events to Kentucky.

“To be a leader in the post-COVID economy, we need to invest in our tourism industry,” said Governor Beshear. “Kentucky families, visitors, and businesses considering their next trip or meeting know that Kentucky is open, our economy is at record highs, and we are committed to safe travel. Start planning your trip now. “

Tourism in Kentucky is a $ 11.8 billion industry, according to state officials, and serves as a revenue-generating mechanism for each county.

“This critical funding backing is an important step forward for our industry and reaffirms the governor’s commitment to ensuring the tourism industry is part of the solution to building a better and stronger Kentucky for the future,” said Mike Berry, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism, Art and Technology Heritage Site .

In addition to federal funding from the CARES Act approved by Congress last year, the U.S. Treasury Department announced this week that Kentucky will receive $ 2.183 billion from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 for the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund. The allocation is smaller than an earlier estimate due to the positive economic performance of the state.

To learn more about Kentucky vacations, visit kentuckytourism.com.

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