The Kentucky Department of Tourism says tourism dollars were up in Christian County in 2021, which means visitor spending and visitation growth are on the rise.
According to a news release, economic impact figures show that visitors to the area spent $212.9 million in 2021, which is over $20 million more than the record previously set in 2018. Hopkinsville Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Brooke Jung attributes some of that growth to the new Batter Capitol of the World designation and the ideas that came from that branding. After opening its doors in Fall of 2020, Oak Grove Racing and Gaming has also contributed to the increase of visitor spending in the community.
Jung says, “These numbers are a direct reflection of our incredible tourism destinations and hospitality partners in Christian County and the impact they have on drawing visitors to our community. We love seeing these record-breaking numbers, and are constantly hearing from visitors what wonderful experiences they have while exploring all facets of our community. These numbers show what a huge impact tourism has on Hopkinsville and Christian County.”
Oak Grove Tourism Commission Executive Director Traci Cunningham says they’re thrilled to see such a large increase in tourism spending, saying, “The events we are hosting in Oak Grove are seeing record attendance and we could not be more excited to see those numbers translate to visitor spending. I can’t think of anything that excites us more than the tourism industry and the economic impact in Christian County. Together Brooke and I strive to make Hopkinsville, Oak Grove and Christian County a destination to be proud of. There is no doubt these numbers prove tourism is a huge business and we can’t be prouder.”
Not only did Christian County see an increase in tourism spending, but also in employment. A total of 1,649 tourism-related jobs were reported county-wide in the hospitality sector generating $40.4 million in labor income.