Newly released tourism economic impact data from the Kentucky Department of Tourism shows Boyle County’s tourism industry continued to generate significant economic benefits in 2025, posting gains in visitor spending, labor income, and tax revenue.
The annual economic impact study, conducted by Tourism Economics on behalf of the Kentucky Department of Tourism, found visitor spending in Boyle County increased to $84.5 million in 2025, up from $83.5 million in 2024. State and local tax revenues generated by tourism also increased from $6.6 million to $6.7 million, while labor income for tourism-supported jobs rose from $19.8 million to $19.9 million.
The only category that experienced a decline was tourism-supported employment, which decreased from 696 jobs in 2024 to 679 jobs in 2025, a reduction of 17 positions. However, this trend mirrored statewide results, which showed tourism employment fell from 97,394 jobs to 96,993 jobs during the same period.
“These numbers show what we already know, and that is that Boyle County has a robust tourism economy,” said Kendall Clinton, executive director of the Danville-Boyle County Convention and Visitors Bureau. “At a time when travel growth has slowed nationally, Boyle County continued to move forward in nearly every key measurement.”
Long-Term Growth Continues
The 2025 report reflects the remarkable growth of Boyle County’s tourism economy over the past eight years. Since 2018, when the Kentucky Department of Tourism began utilizing Tourism Economics to conduct its annual impact study, Boyle County has consistently outperformed statewide averages.
From 2018 to 2025:
— Tourism-supported employment increased from 634 jobs to 679 jobs, a 7.1% increase locally, compared to a statewide increase of 2.97%.
— Labor income grew from $15.22 million to $19.9 million, a 30.7% increase locally, exceeding the statewide growth rate of 22.3%.
— State and local tax revenues generated by tourism increased from $4.8 million to $6.7 million, representing a 39.6% increase locally, compared to the statewide increase of 31.5%.
— Total visitor spending and overall economic impact rose from $63.4 million to $84.5 million locally, a 33.3% increase, outperforming the statewide growth rate of 27.2%.
The data underscores tourism’s growing role as a key economic driver for Boyle County, supporting local businesses, generating tax revenue that helps fund public services, and creating employment opportunities throughout the community.
“The continued growth in visitor spending and tax generation demonstrates that tourism remains an important contributor to our local economy and quality of life,” Clinton said. “More than likely, you have a friend, family member, neighbor or acquaintance here in Danville and Boyle County whose job helps support the local tourism economy. Without visitors staying in local hotels, eating in restaurants, shopping and enjoying other locations in our community, these jobs wouldn’t exist or the positive economic impacts that go with them.”
For more information about tourism in Boyle County, visit www.danvillekentucky.com
