Tourism is an important economic driver contributing $13.1 billion to Kentucky’s economy in 2014.1 Successful tourism relies not only on individual attractions, but on a welcoming community environment.2 Smoke-free laws contribute to a healthy environment by protecting people from secondhand tobacco smoke in all workplaces and public places.
Tourism and Smoke-free
Smoke-free: A Tourists Destination
Tourists Expect Smoke-free Places
- 87% of guests prefer a smoke-free hospitality environment.3
- Smoke-free laws protect the health of local residents, visitors, and travelers.
- Tourists travel more frequently than the average consumer and prefer to visit areas that protect both the environment and the welfare of the local people.4
Ten years after going smoke-free the Irish minister of tourism, stated that a smoke-free Ireland “absolutely” increased tourism.
Smoke-free Laws Help Tourism
- Bardstown, KY, smoke-free since 2010, experienced an increase in tourism in 2014, adding $89 million in total economic impact.6
- Hotels and restaurants in 5 New York counties showed higher annual payrolls and significant increases in hotel, eating, and drinking taxable sales after smoke-free policies took effect.8
- Hawaii found that tourism and employment increased as smoke-free laws took effect.
“The best promotion is for satisfied tourists to tell their friends about their experiences in Kentucky.” –Ecotourism in Kentucky10
Give tourists a smoke-free Kentucky!
“As the owner of a business which caters to tourism, I am watching our county lose money every time the guests at The Hill House Bed & Breakfast decide to spend their time dining and then shopping in Bardstown, simply because smoking is allowed in most restaurants in Marion County.”
Lisa Marie Williams
20155
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- Stewart B. Tourism boosts Ky. economy, appeal. Lexington Herald Leader. May 6, 2015; Opinion.
- Wilson S, Fesenmaier DR, Fesenmaier J, Van Es JC. Factors for success in rural tourism development. Journal of Travel Research. 2001;40(2):132-138.
- J.D. Power and Associates. As Industry Begins to Rebound from Downturn, Satisfaction with Hotels Increases Notably [press release]. July 27, 2010.
- Center for Responsible Travel (CREST). The case for responsible travel: Trends and statistics. In: Center for Responsible Travel, ed2013:8.
- Williams LM. Letters: Smoke-free air. The Lebanon Enterprise. 2015;Letters to the editor.
- Goode K. Tourism up in county and state: Bourbon not the only thing drawing visitors. The Kentucky Standard. May 9, 2015, 2015.
- Selcraig B. In Ireland, 10 years of fresh air. The New York Times. June 15, 2014, 2014.
- Hyland A, Puli V, Cummings M, Sciandra R. New York's smoke-free regulations: Effects on employment and sales in the hospitality industry. Cornell Hotel and Restaurant Administration Quarterly. 2003;44:9-16.
- Dobson Amato KA, Rivard C, Lipsher J, Hyland A. Five years after the Hawai'i smoke-free law: tourism and hospitality economic indicators appear unharmed. Hawai'i Journal of Medicine & Public Health: A Journal of Asia Pacific Medicine & Public Health. 2013;72(10):355-361.
- Ecotourism in Kentucky. 2010; www.earthhealing.info/SI/SIKYECOT.pdf. Accessed December 3, 2015.
