Tourism was a booming industry in Hopkinsville and Christian County in 2018, and the director of the local Convention and Visitor’s Bureau says it only continues to grow.
The numbers aren’t out yet for 2019, but from 2017 to 2018, economic impact from tourism increased by $10 million. Director Brooke Jung says Christian County has more avenues of tourism than people realize—from sports tourism, wedding tourism, spirits tourism and more—and people are definitely coming into the community to take part. The local welcome center stays open 7 days a week and Jung says tourism is the fourth largest industry in the county.
Recently, Ebonite International shut down unexpectedly, affecting 171 employees and also shutting down the tours that were hosted by the Visitor’s Bureau. Jung says they began selling souvenir bowling ball stress balls to support those affected—and they were able to donate $500 as a result.
McCracken County led the region with $262 million in total visitor spending in 2018 and Christian County came second in the region, with $192.8 million. To keep up to date on what’s happening locally, following the Hopkinsville Convention and Visitor’s Bureau on Facebook.