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Visit Hopkinsville reports growth, cites 300,000 annual visitors and tourism economic impact
Summary
Amy Rogers, executive director of the Hopkinsville Christian County Convention & Visitors Bureau, told council Visit Hopkinsville estimates more than 300,000 visitors to the community and summarized 2023 economic impacts including 1,804 visitor-supported jobs and $239.1 million in spending.
Amy Rogers, executive director of the Hopkinsville Christian County Convention & Visitors Bureau, presented the bureau’s annual update to Hopkinsville City Council on May 6, 2025, reporting continued growth in visitation and economic impact for Christian County.
Rogers said Visit Hopkinsville used location-analysis tools to estimate more than 300,000 visitors annually to the community and reported more than 3,000 visitor-center walk-ins last year. Citing 2023 figures, she said visitor-supported employment in Christian County totaled 1,804 jobs, labor income was about $46.7 million, state and local tax revenue from visitors was about $16 million and total visitor spending was $239.1 million — roughly $1.9 million more than 2022.
Rogers described how Visit Hopkinsville leverages the city’s 3% transient room tax and state ARPA funds the bureau received (she said Visit Hopkinsville received more than $700,000 from state-distributed ARPA funds) to run marketing campaigns and bid for events. She noted recent efforts to position Hopkinsville as a sports destination — citing a Southern Pickleball Association tournament and an upcoming cheer competition — and other events, including an inaugural GoblinCon tied to local cultural attractions.
Why it matters: Tourism-generated spending supports local jobs, sales at hotels and restaurants, and tax receipts that contribute to city and county revenues. Rogers asked council and the public to use the visitor center and support fundraising for parks and other amenities that attract visitors.
Details Rogers provided - Estimated visitors: "over 300,000" annually (Placer AI estimate) - Visitor-center walk-ins: more than 3,000 last year - 2023 economic impact (Christian County): 1,804 visitor-supported jobs; $46,700,000 labor income; $16,000,000 state/local taxes; $239,100,000 total spending - Funding: city transient room tax (3%) and state ARPA distributions enabled marketing campaigns.
Council response and next steps: Rogers closed by offering the visitor center as a community resource (1730 East Ninth Street) and asked council members to continue supporting tourism marketing and event-hosting efforts. No formal council action was required on the presentation.
Ending: Rogers said Visit Hopkinsville will continue marketing and pursuing events that draw visitors and generate local spending.
