Louisville Celebrates the ‘Future of Travel’ during Derby week

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (April 29, 2022) – While simultaneously celebrating Louisville’s top tourism driver with the impending Kentucky Derby, the local hospitality industry is also recognizing the May 1-7 National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW), which is the annual celebration of the contributions of the U.S. travel industry plays in driving local economic growth.

This year’s theme, the ‘Future of Travel,’ elevates how the travel industry can restore the workforce, help communities recover, foster sustainability, usher in new innovations and reconnect travelers in the U.S. and around the world.

Celebrated annually the first full week in May, NTTW was created by Congress in 1983 to elevate the economic power of travel in the U.S. The 39th annual NTTW arrives as the industry looks ahead to future growth and success following the challenges of the past two years.

“Louisville Tourism is joining thousands of tourism agencies across the country to celebrate NTTW and encourage travelers to recognize the importance of the ‘Future of Travel’ with us,” said Cleo Battle, Louisville Tourism President & CEO. "As we celebrate the return to a ‘normal’ Kentucky Derby, the travel and tourism industry is playing a critical role in rebuilding our local economy by generating an estimated $400 million dollar shot in the arm this Derby season.”

Travelers were eager to visit Bourbon City in 2021, reflecting in often-sold-out bourbon distillery tours, busy attractions and national praise from many prominent travel and tourism authorities including Travel + Leisure, Lonely Planet, Southern Living, Condé Nast, Fodors and the New York Times. Louisville is already seeing similar accolades this year with Travel + Leisure naming the city on their prestigious list of the ‘50 Best Places to Travel in 2022.’

Prior to the pandemic, tourism was the third largest industry in Louisville, hosting a record 19 million visitors in 2019, generating an estimated economic impact of $3.4 billion to the city supporting 70,000 jobs tourism-related jobs.

“NTTW has special significance this year as the travel industry looks ahead to a bright future,” said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow. “This NTTW is an opportunity to recognize the collective strength of the U.S. travel industry and how we are rebuilding to be more dynamic, innovative, sustainable and inclusive in the months and years to come."

Please visit ustravel.org/NTTW to learn more about National Travel and Tourism Week.

Planning a trip to Louisville? Guests can use Louisville Tourism’s annual Visitor Guide to plan an itinerary around Louisville’s top experiences. Travelers also can get attraction, lodging and dining assistance at www.gotolouisville.com.