Overview
The Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet is dedicated to fostering and promoting the state's rich heritage as well as continuing Kentucky's long history of being a premiere travel destination for all travelers to enjoy. The Cabinet serves as Kentucky's top tourism agency, and collaborates with local tourism partners to coordinate tourism, arts and heritage efforts through legislation, tourism development, and marketing/outreach. Kentucky tourism is a multi-billion dollar industry that brings millions of visitors to the commonwealth each year. As one of the state's largest economic generators, tourism serves as a mechanism for driving economic growth in communities within all 120 Kentucky counties.
Under the leadership of Secretary Berry, the Cabinet oversees the following agencies:
Our Mission
Support the promotion and development of Kentucky tourism, arts and heritage as a mechanism to foster economic growth, education and employment for communities throughout the commonwealth while appealing as a destination to a diverse audience at home, nationally and internationally.
Vision
To create a flourishing quality of life for all Kentuckians who are enriched by Kentucky’s authentic roots while welcoming all visitors who find themselves here time and again.
We promote premier visitor experiences, care for Kentucky’s natural beauty and cultural heritage, and ensure tourism’s critical role in enhancing a thriving statewide economy and quality of life. Through marketing, education, partnerships, and exemplary customer service, we inspire travelers from around the world to discover the diversity and abundance of the Kentucky story.
Values
Promote Kentucky as an inclusive travel experience that welcomes visitors of diverse backgrounds and interests.
Foster and promote the unique and creative brand of Kentucky arts by supporting artists, artisans and performance venues as representatives of a dynamic and diverse culture.
Protect and conserve Kentucky's natural resources and be responsible stewards of the “Nation's Finest" state park system while promoting these opportunities to tourists.
Respect the rich history and heritage of Kentucky by honoring the journey of our past, celebrating the culture of our present and preparing for our potential future growth.
Goals
Grow Kentucky's economy by encouraging tourism development in rural and urban communities to foster economic growth and tourism recovery.
Protect and strengthen local communities through collaboration with stakeholders at the international, national, state and local level to promote tourism in all 120 Kentucky counties.
Invest in education and workforce development by educating Kentuckians about Kentucky's natural and cultural resources to spark creativity and interest in pursuing employment opportunities in the tourism/hospitality sector.
Respect Kentucky's history and heritage by investing in and promoting the rich history and heritage of Kentucky and ensuring our programs and services represent diversity and culture.
Ensure operational excellence in service of the tourism industry.
Strengthen the branding pillars that position Kentucky as an iconic, multi-faceted U.S. destination for generations to come.