Kentucky set a tourism record in 2022.

But today Governor Andy Beshear announced We've topped it.

2023 was officially the best year in Kentucky's history for tourism's economic impact.

We're going to give you some numbers.

The new tourism economic study report that last year tourism generated more than $13.8 billion in economic impact.

That is a huge brand new record that we ought to see as a challenge because we're already in the midst of 2024.

And even better, Kentucky's tourism industry sustained 95,222 Kentucky jobs.

Visitor volume increased 4.5%, and that is over our best year ever.

Kentucky welcomed 79.3 million travelers.

That is 3.4 million more than our previous best year.

Jefferson County reached $4.2 billion in economic impact, generating more than 27,200 jobs.

Fayette County.

We can classic Fayette County hit $1.6 billion in economic impact with 11,500 jobs.

Warren County.

Warren County brought in $477 million in economic impact.

More than 4000 jobs.

McCracken County Duncan, I'm doing this for you.

$390 million in economic impact.

More than 2400 jobs in combined.

Boone Campbell and Kenton Counties in the roughly thousand cities that are within those three counties.

$2.1 billion in economic impact.

12,800 jobs.

Today's numbers numbers demonstrate just how important tourism is to our economy and the impact created by local operators and businesses.

Tourism is economic development, creating jobs, investment and improving the quality of life for all of our citizens.

As a $13 billion industry, tourism serves as a major economic engine for our rural and our urban communities.

It's the Governor's mansion.

Thank you to our partners who stand behind us and their many contributions, their work on our behalf of local tourism.

Every day, all day, every day is critical to the overall success that we celebrate here today.

Let's show them our appreciation.

Today's announcement came at the Castle and Key Distillery in Frankfort.