Story by Beth Noffsinger, Bowling Green Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
Residents of Bowling Green and Warren County have a little more money in their wallets each year because of tourism.
In fact, in 2017, Warren County households paid $1,036 less in local and state taxes because of the revenue generated in the community by visitors’ spending, according to a report by Certec, Inc. that was commissioned by the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet.
“It’s the amazing attractions, lodging, restaurants and retail that help attract so many tourists to Bowling Green and Warren County each year,” said Vicki Fitch, executive director of the Bowling Green Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Many of our partners are family-owned and/or small businesses who really benefit from the visitors who come to our region each year.”
Bowling Green’s diverse, affordable offerings are what make it such a desirable attraction. Many visitors are Corvette fans who are drawn to town by the National Corvette Museum and Motorsports Park. Other car enthusiasts and racers come to Bowling Green for the first time to attend or participate in one of the many drag races and car shows at Beech Bend Raceway annually.
Mammoth Cave National Park is internationally known, and many of our visitors learn about Warren County when they are planning their trips to the national park and make Bowling Green part of their itinerary—especially when they decide to make the trek to Lost River Cave. It’s going to be an exciting summer at Lost River Cave with the addition of the Flying Squirrel and Lightning Bug Ziplines.
Families enjoy visiting Bowling Green as an affordable getaway, where they might include Chaney’s Dairy Barn, Jackson’s Orchard, Beech Bend Amusement Park or the Historic Railpark & Train Museum as part of their trip.
The CVB promotes Bowling Green as a destination to visitors around the country. Our group sales and sports sales directors attend trade shows where they work to bring conventions, sports tournaments and other events to town that will put heads in beds at our local hotels.
The marketing director and public relations manager showcase Bowling Green through advertising, social media, VisitBGKY.com and media pitches in other regions of Kentucky and targeted markets around the United States. The CVB has garnered media coverage of Bowling Green and its attractions in a variety of publications and websites, including Forbes.com, Southern Living and USA Today.
“The caliber of tourism partners in Bowling Green makes our jobs at the CVB exciting,” Fitch said. “Our visitors experience the outstanding hospitality our local entities provide, and many make return trips over the years.”
The CVB also offers a free hospitality class called “B.G. V.E.T.T.E” (Very Enthusiastic Travel and Tourism Expert) for employees of any businesses that might interact with visitors. We give class attendees an overview of the tourism offerings in the region, as well as tips on how to interact with visitors to help them have an enjoyable experience.
V.E.T.T.E classes are scheduled a few times annually and are available for groups upon request.
The CVB offers a calendar of events on its website where it is easy to search for activities taking place on specific dates. While on the website, you can sign up for the weekly What’s Happening newsletter to know what’s going on that specific week—a valuable resource for locals and visitors, alike.
As the Kentucky Department of Tourism says, Tourism Works for Kentucky. Not only does it generate revenue that saves taxpayers’ money, it also creates jobs across the Commonwealth—including 4,607 jobs in Warren County in 2017. Local tourism entities also create a better quality of life for residents, too.
Beth Noffsinger is public relations manager for the Bowling Green Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. To learn more about the CVB, visit VisitBGKY.com or download the VisitBGKY app from the App Store or Google Play. Follow the CVB at @VisitBGKY on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. You can reach Beth at beth@visitbgky.com or 270-782-0800.