Visitors coming to Danville and Boyle County played a big part in a record setting year for tourism in Kentucky in 2023, with $13.8 billion generated in economic impact for the state.

Locally, the numbers showed an increase of nearly $3.5 million in economic impact, up from $75.91 million in 2022 to $79.4 million in 2023.

That year-to-year increase for Danville and Boyle County included an uptick in tourism-related employment from 656 jobs in 2022 to 671 jobs in 2023; and an increase in labor income from $18.03 million in 2022 to $18.9 million in 2023.

“The economic impact numbers gathered during a study by Tourism Economics are data showing what we already know, and that is that tourism plays a big role in the economy here in Danville and Boyle County,” said Kendall Clinton, executive director of the Danville-Boyle County Tourism Office. “We have a very strong occupancy rate at our local hotels, several attractions and events that draw people from beyond the borders of Kentucky, and more than 600 front-line workers who are providing great experiences for visitors who come to town to enjoy our history, arts, events and more.”

The economic impact numbers for 2023 come less than a year after the release of the 2022 numbers, which also saw noticeable increases over 2021 for Danville and Boyle County. From 2021 to 2022, tourism-related jobs increased from 628 to 656, labor income increased from $16 million to $18.03 million, and overall spending increased from $71.93 million to $75.91 million.

Statewide in 2023, 79.3 million travelers came to Kentucky, which was a 4.5% increase over 2022. Those visitors spent $9.7 billion while they were here.

“The effect tourism has on our communities across the state is significant and essential,” said Kentucky Tourism Commissioner Mike Mangeot. “With no plans to slow down, we look forward to building on this success and are excited to support the tourism initiatives launching this year.”

The annual tourism economic impact report was compiled by Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics Company, using a variety of data for multiple reputable sources, including AirDNA, the U.S. Census, Smith Travel Research, the Bureau of Economic Analysis and Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The Danville-Boyle County Tourism Office serves as the lead agency for marketing the local community to potential visitors from throughout the country and around the world. This is done through print and digital advertising, social media efforts, the office’s website, direct mail brochures, the local visitor center and a variety of other campaigns to reach people who may be interested in what Danville and Boyle County have to offer.

“These numbers being released on the same weekend as the Great American Brass Band Festival is very appropriate for us,” Clinton said. “We interact with people coming to the festival each year and often meet many who have traveled to Danville from other states and even overseas. The first family who stopped by our visitor information tent on Thursday night was from Virginia and had come here just to experience the Brass Band Festival. Danville and Boyle County have much to offer visitors and we hope to see a continued upward trend when the 2024 economic impact numbers are released next year.”

The tourism office provides support for events like the Great American Brass Band Festival, Soul of Second Street, the Forkland Heritage Festival, the Bourbon Chase and more. The office is also involved in various aspects of tourism development for new and expanding businesses and events that have a role in the visitor experience.

Learn more about local tourism, including upcoming events, on the Danville-Boyle County Tourism website – www.danvillekentucky.com