This page offers comprehensive answers to frequently asked questions regarding the regulation and administration of heritage and tourism in Kentucky. It covers both state-level policies and local regulations, providing insight into how these areas are managed and the processes that guide their development and oversight.
Heritage & Tourism
What is a local tourism board?
In Kentucky, tourism is regulated on the local level through groups called local tourist and convention commissions. Other states refer to their corresponding groups as local tourism boards.
How do I find my local tourist and convention commission?
For the Commonwealth’s bigger cities, tourism tends to be branded and easily accessible. Find Lexington’s local commission here: https://www.visitlex.com/ and Louisville’s local commission here: https://www.gotolouisville.com/. These websites chronicle the activities available in the region as well as information about the commission and their functions.
Kentucky’s smaller county’s commissions have welcome centers in every county in the state for tourists and locals to learn about the history of the local area and to be welcomed to the region. A full list of these welcome centers can be found at: https://www.kentuckytourism.com/trip-planning/travel-tools/welcome-centers.
If the above website does not satisfy your curiosity, many local tourist and convention commissions have social media pages. We recommend searching for your local commission on Facebook.
Who is in charge of tourism in the state of Kentucky?
At the highest level, the commissioner of the Department of Toursim within of the Cabinet for Tourism, Arts and Heritage is in charge of Kentucky’s tourism. Currently, Mike Mangeot serves as the Commissioner for the Department of Tourism.
What statutes regulate tourism?
The provisions pertaining to tourism are not neatly housed anywhere within Kentucky’s Revised Statutes, with the parks and tourism chapter being under the Conservation Title and the parks and playgrounds title being under Counties, Cities, and Other Local Units Title. Nevertheless, key statutes can be found in the following locations. Chapter 148 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes detail parks and tourism. The Kentucky Historical Society is governed by Chapter 171 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes. Chapter 97 regulates parks, playgrounds, and recreation.
What administrative regulations regulate tourism?
There are a large number of administrative regulations that govern tourism in Kentucky: Title 300 describes the duties of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet; Title 301 discusses the duties of the Department of Fish and Wildlife; Title 304 describes the duties of the Department of Parks.