Tourism Services is comprised of the Tourism Marketing Incentive Program (TMIP) and Co-Op Advertising Program and the staffing of Kentucky's Welcome Centers. TMIP provides tourism marketing matching funds to local and regional destination marketing and other non-profit organizations. There are seven Welcome Centers in Kentucky. These facilities were designed and constructed by the Federal Highway Administration, KDT, and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. The Transportation Cabinet operates the facilities, and the Welcome Center personnel and services are managed by KDT. Each is staffed by a Travel Host Supervisor with one or two Travel Hosts. Welcome Centers are located in the following Counties: Bullitt, Carter, Christian, McCracken, Shelby, Simpson, and Whitley.

Communication and Public Relations is responsible for providing comprehensive support for projects and promotions developed through the Department on behalf of the tourism industry in Kentucky. These efforts primarily focus on generating earned broadcast and print media, serving as the liaison with media sources, and maintaining constant contact through newsletters and a web-based media resource site. Assistance is provided to individual media representatives and travel writers in a variety of ways including, but not limited to, creating story Ideas, making travel arrangements, and providing photographs, video and fact verification. Regular press releases are prepared for the (KDT) to keep the public informed of attractions and events in Kentucky.

Tourism Development is responsible for managing the incentive program created by the Kentucky Tourism Development Act. The incentive was designed to encourage the development, expansion or rehabilitation of tourism projects through the Commonwealth.

The Governor's budget includes additional General Fund in the amount of $51,200 in fiscal year 2027 and $105,100 in fiscal year 2028 to fund a 2% salary increment in fiscal year 2027 and an additional 2% increment in fiscal year 2028.

The base budget includes General Fund of $130,000 in each fiscal year to support the Whitehaven Welcome Center.