Tourism, Arts and Heritage Tourism
Actual FY 2024Actual FY 2025Revised FY 2026Recommended FY 2027Recommended FY 2028
SOURCE OF FUNDS
General Fund
Regular Appropriation3,458,2003,624,9003,709,4003,367,7003,443,100
State Salary and Compensation Allocation115,000
Budget Reduction-General Fund(111,300)
Other(350,000)(40,000)
Total General Fund3,223,2003,584,9003,598,1003,367,7003,443,100
Restricted Funds
Balance Forward91,805111,557433,700138,70071,000
Current Receipts20,038322,646305,0005,0005,000
Total Restricted Funds111,843434,203738,700143,70076,000
TOTAL SOURCE OF FUNDS3,335,0434,019,1034,336,8003,511,4003,519,100
EXPENDITURES BY CLASS
Personnel Costs2,641,1992,958,8193,097,9002,909,6002,985,200
Operating Expenses510,062561,1041,100,200530,800530,600
TOTAL EXPENDITURES3,151,2613,519,9234,198,1003,440,4003,515,800
EXPENDITURES BY FUND SOURCE
General Fund3,150,9753,519,4123,598,1003,367,7003,443,100
Restricted Funds286511600,00072,70072,700
TOTAL EXPENDITURES3,151,2613,519,9234,198,1003,440,4003,515,800
EXPENDITURES BY UNIT
Executive Policy and Management1,692,6361,846,7731,758,3001,716,1001,751,600
Division of Marketing334,005341,786353,600342,500350,000
Division of Tourism Services833,9611,034,8871,788,7001,095,6001,121,200
Division of Communications and Public Relations290,659296,478297,500286,200293,000
TOTAL EXPENDITURES3,151,2613,519,9234,198,1003,440,4003,515,800

The Kentucky Department of Tourism (KDT) is primarily responsible for promoting the Commonwealth of Kentucky as a destination for travelers of all kinds, both domestically and internationally, through sales, marketing and advertising to create additional revenues and generate economic impact throughout the state. KDT administers the following programs:

Executive Policy and Management establishes policies and goals for the department; coordinates the overall planning, management, and direction for the agency; and provides for the most economical and efficient administration of the Department and its programs. This piece of the agency also does all budgeting, purchasing and invoice payment, and oversees the Cultural Heritage Tourism, and International and Domestic Group Sales programs. The Cultural Heritage program builds links between tourism, historic preservation, arts, humanities and natural resources to promote Kentucky's culture, history and natural wonders. The International and Domestic Group Sales promote these assets through trade show participation, familiarization trips for media and group tour operators, group travel website information, and general outreach and responses to inquiries.

The Division of Marketing & Advertising is responsible for encouraging travel to and within Kentucky. They maintain a database of all the tourism-related attractions, destinations and events throughout the state. This division is responsible for the production and oversight of Kentucky's Official Visitors Guide and the implementation and oversight of spring and fall comprehensive multimedia advertising plans. Advertising is targeted and based on a variety of research that is purchased and/or commissioned by KDT. All advertising directs the audience to the KDT website, kentuckytourism.com.

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