WHY IT RATES: Tourism superstar Mike Mangeot has helped generate a historic $13.8 billion in economic impact for the state of Kentucky.—Patrick Clarke, TravelPulse Senior Editor
Mike Mangeot, Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Tourism, was named today the 2024 State Tourism Director of the Year by his national peers. The award recognizes excellence in marketing, promotion and individual leadership within the honoree’s state.
“A state as iconic as Kentucky has a leader in Mike equal to its legendary hospitality,” said Geoff Freeman, President and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. “Mike has achieved incredible success in attracting visitors for only-in-Kentucky experiences, from bluegrass beauty to bourbon trails and world-class horse culture—generating benefits across the state’s residents and businesses.”
“Kentucky is celebrating the best two years for tourism in our history—a record-breaking milestone Commissioner Mangeot helped Team Kentucky achieve,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “From generating a historic $13.8 billion in economic impact to creating and sustaining good-paying jobs for our people, tourism is essential to our success. Thank you to the U.S. Travel Association for recognizing how our team is working so hard to welcome more people to our new Kentucky home.”
Mangeot was announced as the honoree before a thousand destination marketing professionals at the U.S. Travel Association’s annual ESTO conference (Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations), the premier annual gathering for destination and travel leaders, held this year in Columbus, Ohio. U.S. Travel’s National Council of State Tourism Directors—a body representing the official tourism offices of all states and U.S. territories—votes on the award annually ahead of ESTO.
Currently serving his second tenure as state tourism commissioner, Mangeot returned to the office in 2020 following a previous stint from 2012 to 2016. In 2023, under his guidance, visitor spending and economic impact to Kentucky hit record highs, totaling $13.8 billion and 79.3 million travelers, a 4.5% increase over 2022. The state also broke an all-time record last year with nine new tourism development projects that are set to generate an estimated $292 million in economic investment and create more than 550 jobs. Based on the industry’s success, Kentucky Gov. Beshear and the Kentucky General Assembly approved the largest budget in the history of Kentucky Tourism.
Inclusivity is also at the heart of his leadership. He launched the state’s DEI initiatives and training programs for travel industry partners and created the first state-driven marketing campaigns to attract African American, Hispanic and LQBTQ+ travelers.
Mangeot serves multiple boards with distinction, including those of the U.S. Travel Association, Brand USA, Travel South USA, where he recently completed a term as chairman of the board, Southeast Tourism Society, and Kentucky Travel Industry Association. In previous roles, he has also served as President and CEO of the Kentucky Association for Economic Development and was the executive director of the Bardstown-Nelson County Tourism Commission.
Mangeot was announced as this year’s State Tourism Director by 2023 honoree Dave Lorenz, who served as vice president of Travel Michigan.
Candidates for State Tourism Director of the Year are nominated by state and territory tourism directors. A slate of three finalists is presented annually for selection by ballot.
SOURCE: U.S. Travel Association press release.
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