Danville tourism bureau reports higher visitor spending and tax revenues since 2018

Quentin, representing the Convention and Visitors Bureau, told the Danville City Commission on June 22 that tourism metrics compiled by Tourism Economics and the Kentucky Department of Tourism show growth in several categories since 2018.

Quentin said labor income attributable to tourism rose to $19.9 million (up from $15.22 million in 2018), overall visitor spending increased to $84.5 million, and state and local taxes paid by visitors reached $6.7 million. He noted employment supported by tourism dipped by 17 positions year over year. The presenter attributed the data to Tourism Economics’ methodology, which uses multiple data sources including credit‑card transactions and census information.

Quentin outlined marketing plans tied to a recently passed budget: approximately $100,000 will be spent on print, digital, streaming and social media campaigns through the bureau’s agency of record, plus brochures and other materials.

Commissioners asked which businesses count toward tourism employment; Quentin defined tourism businesses broadly as hotels, restaurants and front‑line businesses that directly interact with visitors. Commissioners complimented the report and emphasized the value of visitor dollars to the local economy.

Quentin said the bureau compared county performance to statewide averages and reported that the county outpaced the state in the four measured categories (employment, labor income, tax receipts and spending) since 2018. He also noted Tourism Economics changed its methodology in 2018, which is the baseline used for the trending presented.

The commission did not take formal action on the report; staff said the tourism budget and marketing work were already built into the recently passed city budget.