OAK GROVE, KY – Oak Grove Tourism has received a Destination Management Traverse Award for Excellence in Kentucky Tourism from the Kentucky Travel Industry Association. The award was presented during the 2024 Kentucky Travel Industry Annual Conference held November 13-15 at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington.
Oak Grove Tourism received a Bronze Traverse for its Butterfly Festival, Traci Cunningham, Executive Director said, “We are thrilled and honored to receive this award for the Butterfly Festival! This recognition reflects the hard work, passion, and dedication of everyone involved, from our incredible team to the amazing community that shows up year after year to make our festival truly shine and have such great success. This festival has become a significant driver for the City of Oak Grove’s economy, drawing visitors from across the region and beyond. Thank you to all who support and celebrate with us, you’ve made this achievement possible. “
Kentucky travel and tourism businesses and marketing organizations vie for Traverse Awards in 11 categories. A panel of out-of-state tourism industry experts judge the Traverse Awards. Award criteria include concept, creativity, results, and impact.
According to KTIA president & CEO Hank Phillips, “Even more than the record-breaking 227 award entries received this year, our judges were struck by the entries’ quality and creativity and by their positive impact on communities throughout the Commonwealth. The 2024 Traverse Awards competition was by far the most intense ever and reflects why tourism in Kentucky continues its record-setting pace in visitation and economic impact.”
The Kentucky Travel Industry Association represents and serves all segments of Kentucky’s tourism industry, which despite the pandemic’s severe impact, contributed $13.8 billion to Kentucky’s economy in 2023. The nearly 1000-member association engages in advocacy and provides its members with education, information, and business development opportunities
The association also works to inform the public of the enormous economic, employment, and tax revenue contributions tourism makes to the people of Kentucky.