FRANKFORT, Ky. (WMDJ) – On Thursday, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that 2023 marked a new record year for Kentucky tourism, with $13.8 billion generated in economic impact and 95,222 jobs, as tourism remains a key piece of the commonwealth’s booming economy.

It’s a second straight record-breaking year for tourism in Kentucky.

Statistics indicate that 79.3 million travelers visited Kentucky in 2023, a 4.5% increase from 2022. Those travelers spent a total of $9.7 billion across the state.

In Floyd County, tourism accounted for over 300 jobs and generated an estimated $54 million in total spending.