Bowling Green Sees Record-Breaking Tourism Numbers, Credits “Small Town Charm”
BOWLING GREEN, KY-— The Winning Streak of Bowling Green’s Tourism Continues
Last week, Kentucky Governor, Andy Beshear, announced a 9% increase in tourism money spent in comparison with 2022. Bowling Green’s tourism contributed significantly to this uptick with Visit BGKY reporting that 2023 marked another record-breaking year for tourism in the region. Bowling Green, famed as the corvette capital, saw a dramatic 21% surge in tourism numbers back in 2022, the highest since the pre-COVID era, and kept the momentum going in 2023 with an additional 7.9% increase.
The Playing Factors Behind Bowling Green’s Success
Attractions like the Lost River Cave and Hilltopper sports events seem to attract crowds. However, it is the National Corvette Museum, with its expansive collection of Corvettes and new exhibits continuously introduced, that stands as a top contributor. Over the past three years, investment to the tune of $3 million has been channeled into the museum aiming to maintain public interest and keep visitors coming back.
National Corvette Museum and Bowling Green’s Community— A Winning Combination
While the vast range of attractions plays a vital role in bringing in tourists, the primary factor that keeps visitors coming back is believed to be the small-town charm of Bowling Green.
Unlike bigger and busier cities, here, visitors can avail themselves of advanced city amenities while enjoying the comfort and hospitality indicative of small-town life. Ryan Eichler, NCM Director of Marketing and Communications, also echoed this sentiment attributing the museum’s success to the community of Bowling Green.
Economic Impact of the Tourism Boom
With the boom in tourism, the economy of Bowling Green also benefitted. In the fiscal year 2023, Bowling Green-area tourism generated $477.3 million in visitor spending. This, consequently, helped to generate $39.3 million in state and local tax revenue. Regardless of the contributing factors, tourism in Bowling Green continues to thrive, offering a steady stream of revenue and breathing new life into the regional economy.
Conclusion
The unprecedented tourism boom in Bowling Green embodies a shining example of a small town striking a perfect balance between maintaining its charm and adapting to meet modern visitor expectations. As a result, it stands poised to leverage this success and pave the way for future growth and flourishing tourism.
