Paducah tourism sets $326.7 million record in 2025

Paducah’s tourism economy generated $326.7 million in visitor spending in 2025, a record that also supported 2,435 local jobs and more than $72 million in labor income. The results come as the Paducah Convention & Visitors Bureau says 2026 is off to a stronger start, with higher visitor volume, spending and overnight stays.

Why it matters: - Paducah’s tourism spending reaches local businesses, workers and public services across the city. - The record total shows travel remains a major driver of the local economy and tax base. - The results reinforce Paducah’s position as one of Kentucky’s stronger tourism markets.

What happened: - Paducah generated $326.7 million in total visitor spending in 2025, according to a report released by the Kentucky Department of Tourism. - The tourism sector supported 2,435 local jobs. - Tourism generated more than $72 million in labor income. - Visitor activity produced $26.5 million in combined state and local tax revenue. - Paducah Convention & Visitors Bureau President and CEO Alyssa Phares said the numbers reflect thousands of individual visitor experiences, from hotel stays and downtown shows to food trips and meetings.

The details: - Visitor spending flowed into locally owned attractions, restaurants, hotels, retail shops and gas stations. - The money circulated through the community and helped fund schools, roads and public services through the tax base. - The Paducah CVB said its marketing approach includes digital advertising, search, social media, group travel, meetings sales and earned media. - The bureau said recent media coverage included a piece in Midwest Living and Garden & Gun’s “South’s Best Main Street” bracket. - The CVB described its role as shaping Paducah’s offerings for different visitor types and channels. - The bureau markets Paducah as a destination for visitors coming from 50 miles or more using geolocation data and digital advertising, public relations, meetings, group and sports sales, and visitor services. - The CVB’s website is More information.

Between the lines: - The report suggests Paducah’s tourism gains are tied to deliberate marketing, not just organic demand. - The mix of family travel, cultural trips, meetings and group business gives Paducah a broader visitor base than a single attraction or season would. - The city’s pitch as the “City of Many Ways” is designed to make Paducah feel accessible to several kinds of travelers.

What’s next: - Paducah CVB said 2026 is already seeing more visitor activity. - Zartico geolocation data shows a 3% year-over-year increase in visitor volume so far in 2026. - Zartico data also shows an 8% increase in visitor spending and a 3% increase in overnight visitors. - The CVB expects growth to continue with new Downtown events, more meetings and conferences, live performances, updated attractions, new air service and new hotels. - Phares said the team is aiming to build on the momentum through the rest of 2026.

The bottom line: - Paducah tourism posted a record year in 2025, and early 2026 data suggests the city is still gaining ground.