Visitor numbers to Kentucky Bourbon Trail rocket

Kentucky’s tourism boom continued last year when a record-breaking number of visitors headed to the state’s Bourbon Trail and Bourbon Trail Craft Tour.

Visitors have flocked to distilleries such as Maker’s Mark on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail

In 2015, almost 900,000 Bourbon enthusiasts visited the trails, meaning attendance has doubled in just five years.

Created by the Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA), the Kentucky Bourbon Trail received 762,009 visits in 2015, smashing the previous year’s record by 22%. It showcases nine Bourbon distilleries, including the Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Kentucky, Four Roses in Lawrenceburg and Maker’s Mark in Loretto.

The Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour saw 133,864 visits among its 10 participating distilleries – including Corsair in Bowling Green and the Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co. in Louisville – a 39% increase over the previous year.

“What a phenomenal success story,” said Eric Gregory, president of the KDA. “The growth and impact of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail is advancing Kentucky tourism beyond our wildest dreams. The entire Commonwealth is seeing tremendous benefits from the increased investment and revenue.”

According to the University of Louisville, visitors normally spend about US$1,000 on their trip, and normally hail from outside of Kentucky.

KDA member distilleries are also undertaking extensive work to expand production facilities and grow tourism centres, with a total of US$1.3bn pledged for construction.

“The impact is real and significant,” added Gregory. “We get calls every week from local leaders who want a Kentucky Bourbon Trail® distillery in their area. They know it means jobs and tax dollars and positive publicity.”

In 2016, the KDA predicts that visitor numbers to the trails will reach one million. However Gregory reiterated calls for Kentucky’s tourism legislature to be “modernised”.

“Our distilleries cannot fulfill their potential as major ‘Napa Valley’ experiences without these critical tools,” Gregory said. “We need the House to pass these reforms and support our industry that’s investing more than a billion dollars in the Commonwealth.”