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WEST KENTUCKY – The tourism industry was hit hard last year due to the pandemic. The local economy in West Kentucky is mostly made up of tourism-related businesses. These companies are preparing for the travel season and hope this year will be better.

“I just want everything to go back to normal,” says Chris Lamb. He owns the Kentucky Shores Family Fun Center. They’re putting the finishing touches on new additions as they prepare for Saturday’s opening.

According to Lamb, their season was cut in half last year because of the pandemic. That affected their bottom line. Lamm is encouraged by signs that he already sees people’s willingness to travel again.



Chris Lamb

Chris Lamb

“People are just ready to get out and do something. They might not want to go to Florida, but they know they want to go to the lakes or spend quality time with their family in a place like this,” says Lamb.

In Maggies Jungle Golf, the owner Jamila Fulks believes and hopes for a better year.

“Behind every storm there is a rainbow,” says Fulks.



Jimila Fulks

Jimila Fulks

However, they understand that the pandemic is still ongoing and safety is their number one priority.

“Since we are family owned and operated, I would like to say: We want to protect ourselves and the people who visit us,” says Fulks.

The lakes are the two biggest attractions for tourism in the region. Bill Gary, owner of the Green Turtle Bay Resort, says they are already starting to see tourists.



Bill Gary

Bill Gary

“Kentucky tourism businesses need to recover, and people are pulling together and taking root in one another,” says Gary. “We are rooted for one another.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Publish new travel guidelines on Friday. The new travel policy states that people can travel to the United States two weeks after they have been fully vaccinated.