By Chris Freeland
Session Results: Tourism and Outdoor Recreation
Tourism is big business for our Commonwealth. It employs our people, fuels small businesses, provides revenue for state programs, and celebrates the heritage and natural beauty that make our Commonwealth unique. Visitor spending helps fund our schools, repair our roads and bridges, and support the public services we rely on every day.
Because it is so important, we must be proactive in how state policies and funding are used. The House Committee on Tourism and Outdoor Recreation is charged with identifying strategies that help grow our tourism industry and ensure residents and tourists have access to our incredible natural resources. The committee purview includes everything related to promoting and growing tourism and travel in Kentucky – from our state, national, and historic parks to outdoor recreation and small businesses that rely on visitors. It covers hotels, restaurants, and campgrounds, as well as rules for advertising, billboards, and entertainment venues.
It also involves activities like hunting, fishing, boating, horseback riding, hiking, bird watching, rock climbing, mountain biking, cycling, kayaking, and ATV riding – basically, all the ways people enjoy Kentucky’s great outdoors.
Protecting Property Owners – HB 114 includes rock climbing, boulder, and rappelling within existing statute shielding property owners, lessees, and occupants from liability for injuries resulting from the negligent acts of those individuals.
Boosting Tourism and Economic Development Initiatives – HB 552 provides much-needed flexibility for local tourism initiatives and creates a working group within the legislature to advance economic development opportunities between Kentucky and Ireland.
Ensuring Proper Appointment of Fish and Wildlife Commissioners – SB 245 updates the confirmation process for members of the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission to require Senate approval of nominees before they may begin serving.
According to a 2024 study by Tourism Economics, more than 80 million visitors spent $10.1 billion in Kentucky last year, generating a total economic impact of $13.8 billion and supporting over 97,000 jobs. Those numbers translate into paychecks for hospitality workers, customers for local shops and restaurants, and tax revenue that strengthens communities across the state.
According to the Kentucky Travel Industry Association, visitor counts and spending rebounded after the pandemic and are now at or above pre-pandemic levels. That recovery did not happen by accident. Legislators made strategic investments to help tourism weather the pandemic and come back stronger. In 2022, the General Assembly supported using $75 million of American Rescue Plan Act recovery funds to invest in statewide marketing, county grant programs, convention attraction and multicounty destination marketing. Each of these was a targeted use designed to make sure we get the best return on the taxpayer money we invest – a return that can be measured in jobs and quality of life.
We also ensured smaller, local tourism and destination organizations received direct support as Kentucky distributed federal recovery dollars to more than 100 destination marketing organizations across 88 counties, totaling roughly $5.3 million to help communities promote outdoor recreation and travel opportunities. These investments helped stabilize the industry and laid the groundwork for a strong recovery. In addition, in 2024 alone the state provided $2 million to local tourism efforts through the Tourism Regional Marketing and Matching Funds Program.
Tourism touches every corner of Kentucky – from bourbon country and historic landmarks to festivals, state parks, and outdoor recreation. Whether it is hiking a trail in the Red River Gorge, paddling on Lake Cumberland, or riding an ATV in Evarts, these experiences draw visitors and dollars into our communities. Simply put, when the tourism industry is doing well, Kentuckians across the state benefit.
As always, I can be reached anytime through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181. You can also contact me via email at Chris.Freeland@kylegislature.gov and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.
