Area Tourism Officials Join Blue Grass Airport in Efforts to Promote the Bluegrass Region as a Travel Destination

Lexington, KY - On June 30, 2004, officials from Blue Grass Airport and tourism and economic development organizations from Central and Eastern Kentucky will travel to Washington D.C. in a cooperative effort to promote the Bluegrass Region as a premiere leisure and convention travel destination.

In addition to officially launching Delta Connection’s highly anticipated daily nonstop jet service between Lexington and Washington’s Reagan National Airport, the trip will serve as a catalyst, designed to spark interest from the citizens of Northern Virginia and Washington D.C. regarding the wealth of tourism, convention and business opportunities offered by Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region.

“This trip is the latest in a series of destination marketing ventures, spearheaded by Blue Grass Airport as a means of complimenting tourism and business development efforts in our 40-county service area,” said Michael Gobb, Executive Director of Blue Grass Airport.

A highlight of the joint sales promotion will be a themed cruise on the Potomac River where more than 100 Washington D.C. area travel agents, group tour leaders, travel writers and other dignitaries will experience first-hand what makes Kentucky and the Bluegrass Region unique. The airport also anticipates embarking on similar missions to each of its 13 nonstop destinations in the future.

Airport Board Member, Bernie Lovely added, “Tourism ranks as Kentucky’s third largest industry, pumping millions of dollars into our local economy. With over 100 flights to 13 major cities, Blue Grass Airport is able to help magnify the scope of local tourism and economic development efforts to include both a regional and national focus.”

Participants in the Washington D.C./Northern Virginia promotion include: Blue Grass Airport, Lexington Convention & Visitors Bureau, Kentucky Department of Travel, Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, The Danville/Boyle County Convention & Visitors Bureau, The South Eastern Kentucky Tourism Development Association, Commerce Lexington, The Richmond Chamber of Commerce and the Boyle County Community Development Council.

Blue Grass Airport is served by five major airline brands providing convenient non-stop service to 13 major hub airports and direct service to destinations worldwide. In 2003, Blue Grass Airport served over 1.1 million passengers and was named the fifth fastest growing airport in the U.S.*

*Source: Airports Council International 2003 Passenger Rankings