FRANKFORT, Ky. (Jan. 20, 2012) – It started not with a stroke of a pen, but with the stamping of a hoof.
The 2012 marketing campaign aimed at attracting visitors and tourism dollars to Kentucky ceremonially started today when 2003 Kentucky Derby winner Funny Cide “Hoof-o-graphed” the newest version of the Official Kentucky Visitors Guide. The campaign being conducted by the Kentucky Department of Travel and Tourism is called “There’s Only One,” and focuses on the one-of-a-kind attractions and travel opportunities that exist only in Kentucky.
“There are many reasons that the successful promotion of tourism, and therefore that this campaign, is important to our state,” said Marcheta Sparrow, secretary of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet. “Tourism’s economic impact in Kentucky is $11.3 billion and supports some 170,000 Kentucky jobs. That is the bottom-line reason that we invest time, energy and resources in promoting Kentucky tourism.”
“The foundation of ‘There’s Only One’ is very simple and at the same time, extremely compelling,” said Commissioner Mike Cooper of the Kentucky Department of Travel and Tourism. “Travelers are seeking memorable and authentic experiences that exist in only one place. Kentucky is blessed with many of those and they form the basis for our ‘There’s Only One’ campaign.”
The campaign kickoff took place at the Kentucky Horse Park, where Derby and Preakness winner Funny Cide resides. Also in attendance was Jack Knowlton, managing partner of Sackatoga Stable, Funny Cide’s owners, as well as John Nicholson, executive director of the Kentucky Horse Park.
The campaign will roll out during the course of the year on radio, TV, print and Web-based advertising. It also is being incorporated into all facets of the Department of Travel and Tourism, including the Official Visitors Guide, website, e-newsletters, social media, welcome centers and other communications efforts. Local tourism organizations throughout Kentucky are being encouraged to adopt the “There’s Only One” theme as well.
So far, 31 Kentucky attractions have been designated “There’s Only One,” with others to follow. A listing of those, as well as samples of the TV, radio and, print materials can be found by going to KentuckyTourism.com and clicking on the “There’s Only One” icon.
The 2012 Official Visitors Guide can be picked up at all welcome centers in the state, as well as local tourism offices, and can be viewed online at kentuckytourism.com.
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