Tourism director tells Clark County tourism supports thousands of jobs statewide; local impact highlighted

Jill Hamlin, executive director of Winchester Clark County Tourism, told the fiscal court that tourism is a significant local economic driver and presented 2024 county and state figures from the Kentucky Department of Tourism.

Hamlin cited the 2024 state report: statewide tourism supported 97,394 jobs and produced about $14.3 billion in total economic impact; at the county level, Winchester-Clark County reported 424 tourism-supported jobs, roughly $12.9 million in labor income and about $4.8 million in state and local tax revenue, producing a total economic impact figure Hamlin cited as approximately $63.6 million for Clark County.

Hamlin described local programs supported by the county’s 3% transient lodging tax, saying the tax funds promotion that drives overnight stays and direct spending in lodging, restaurants and attractions. She highlighted the Beer Cheese Trail, a joint product/brand strategy with local businesses, and a “brews and views” campaign in partnership with a local roastery. Hamlin urged continued collaboration between the tourism commission, chamber and IDA.

Magistrates asked about compliance and collection from short-term rentals such as Airbnb; Hamlin said the tourism office and city are sending letters to hosts to encourage voluntary compliance and collection of the transient tax.

The court received the presentation and thanked the director; no formal action or funding changes were proposed at the meeting.