Somerset, KY – TOUR Southern and Eastern Kentucky (TOUR SEKY) is excited to announce the travel and tourism industry contributed $1.5 billion to Southern and Eastern Kentucky’s Economy in 2010, a 3.8% economic impact increase in from 2009. The economic impact of tourism in Kentucky amounted to $11.3 billion in 2010. The economic impact figure is a 4.8 percent increase from 2009. “We are pleased to see such growth in our 47 county region,” said Jeff Crowe, TOUR SEKY President/CEO. “We have such a variety of attractions and adventures to offer here in southern and eastern Kentucky and I am sure our unique qualities will help us continue to see growth in the future.” Tourism was responsible for more than169, 258 jobs in Kentucky in 2010 – an increase of 2,657 from the previous year. These jobs generated more than $2.5 billion in wages for Kentucky workers, an increase of $118 million from the previous year. Tourism generated $1.188 billion in tax revenues for local and state governments in 2010, an increase from $1.133 billion in 2009. Without tourism, each family in the U.S. would pay an additional $995 per year in taxes. The 2010 economic impact report was produced by Certec Inc. of Versailles. For more details about the economic impact study, including county level expenditures, visit tourseky.com and select the 2010 economic impact report link. TOUR SEKY is an award winning initiative of Congressman Hal Rogers. The organization’s mission is to educate, expand, develop and market the existing and potential tourism industry throughout southern and eastern Kentucky, while contributing to the economic, cultural growth, health and awareness, and overall quality of life of the region. For additional information about TOUR SEKY visit www.tourseky.com, or call 606-677-6093.