Bourbon Tourism Development Continues
Kentucky Bourbon Path® Journey Celebrates
Document-Breaking Yr
FRANKFORT, KY. — The world-famous Kentucky Bourbon Path® tour welcomed a report 2.7 million guests in 2024 because it celebrated its twenty fifth anniversary with an award-winning rebranding marketing campaign and revolutionary digital instruments to make it simpler to plan the bucket-list journey.
Guests from all 50 states and greater than 20 nations throughout six continents poured into the Bluegrass State final 12 months, up from 2.5 million vacationers in 2023 – the third straight 12 months topping the 2 million mark.
Greater than 20 million individuals have now visited a Bourbon Path™ distillery within the final 25 years.
“The mix of American historical past, picturesque surroundings and legendary Kentucky hospitality continues to draw individuals from everywhere in the world to get a deeper look into what makes our Bourbon household so particular,” mentioned Eric Gregory, president of the Kentucky Distillers’ Affiliation.
The KDA created the Bourbon Path™ tour in 1999 to provide guests an intimate, behind-the-scenes look into crafting America’s solely native spirit. At the moment, there have been solely seven distilleries in Kentucky to go to – one thing that might be achieved in an extended weekend.
Now, with 60 collaborating distilleries in all corners of the Commonwealth and extra on the way in which, the Kentucky Bourbon Path® program encourages friends to decelerate, chill out, savor the journey and are available again for one more spherical.
“Our Bourbon Path™ distillers – from the most important to the smallest – proceed to create new methods for guests to expertise our mellow, amber nectar,” Gregory mentioned. “There’s extra to do, see, and style than ever earlier than.”
It’s simpler to plan than ever earlier than, too.
As a part of its twenty fifth anniversary rebrand, the KDA created a daring new feel and look for the tour, together with an internet site and new digital instruments that makes it simpler for guests to plan their journey and “Construct Your Personal Bourbon Path®” primarily based on their particular person preferences and pursuits.
Kentucky Bourbon Path® communities and companions proceed to welcome friends with new eating places, accommodations, bars and extra, reaping rewards from an prosperous demographic that traits youthful, stays longer and has extra disposable earnings than a median Kentucky vacationer.
- 62% of Kentucky Bourbon Path® guests have incomes above $100,000
- 76% of tourists are from exterior of Kentucky
- Most guests keep three to 5 days in communities that includes a Bourbon Path™ distillery
- Guests spend between $600 – $1,400 throughout their journey on eating, leisure, lodging and transportation
Traditionally, KBT® guests have come from states inside a six-hour drive from Kentucky. However final 12 months, Bourbon Path™ distilleries noticed a surge of tourists from states exterior that drive time, together with California, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, New York, and Pennsylvania.
The Kentucky Bourbon Path® pilgrimage can be catching international consideration.
Resort Information Now reviews that whereas beachfront properties will probably be busy in 2025, individuals are beginning to enterprise to completely different places off the crushed path, like “new areas of wine nation or the Bourbon Path.”
The reimagined Bourbon Path™ net marketing campaign additionally has been acknowledged with a slew of prestigious awards, most not too long ago incomes prime honors for its digital expertise on the 2025 World Icons of Whisky Awards in London, England.
To study extra concerning the KBT®, go to www.kybourbontrail.com.
Kentucky Bourbon Path® companions present further experiences and sources to assist individuals spherical out their journey: Eat & Drink, Keep, Transportation, Buying, Non-Bourbon Experiences.
Go to www.kybourbon.com for extra details about the KDA and the way Bourbon drives Kentucky’s financial system and tourism.
“The Kentucky Bourbon Path is aware of no limits in its reputation, and I can’t wait to see the place it goes in our subsequent 25 years,” Gregory mentioned. “The probabilities are countless, and we look ahead to welcoming tens of millions extra to get pleasure from it – responsibly, after all.”
Based in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Affiliation (KDA) is the Worldwide Voice of Bourbon™.
In regards to the Kentucky Distillers’ Affiliation:
Based in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Affiliation is the Worldwide Voice of Bourbon™. Its numerous and rising membership produces the overwhelming majority of the world’s Bourbon, from historic, international manufacturers to rising micro distilleries which are fostering the following technology of the Commonwealth’s timeless craft. Kentucky Bourbon is a $9 billion financial engine producing greater than 23,500 jobs and attracting over 2 million visits yearly via the KDA’s Kentucky Bourbon Path® expertise. A 501(c)(6) nonprofit group, the KDA maintains an open membership coverage, champions a powerful dedication to the accountable and average consumption of spirits, and fights to curb underage ingesting and drunk driving. Study extra at www.kybourbon.com
The award-winning Kentucky Bourbon Path® full model refresh has been acknowledged quite a few instances for the fashionable model spin that honors the craftsmanship and wealthy historical past of Kentucky Bourbon. The model was not too long ago celebrated on the 2024 Kentucky Journey Business Award Convention, the 2024 World Beverage Innovation Awards, the AAF Nashville 2025 American Promoting Awards, and final week on the World Whisky Awards in London.
KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL®, KBT®, BOURBON TRAIL™ and KENTUCKY BOURBON HALL OF FAME® are logos/service marks of the Kentucky Distillers’ Affiliation. Take pleasure in Bourbon like a real Kentuckian – Responsibly.
