The Owensboro Times recently highlighted an important story that affects every resident of Owensboro and Daviess County.
The article, “Visitors Help Fund Arts, Sports and Tourism Through Local Transient Room Tax,” explains how visitor spending helps support community assets that residents enjoy every day.
Read the full article:
https://www.owensborotimes.com/features/2026/06/visitors-help-fund-arts-sports-and-tourism-through-local-transient-room-tax/
The takeaway is simple.
When visitors come to Owensboro for conventions, sports tournaments, festivals, meetings, group tours, and special events, they generate revenue that helps support projects and organizations throughout our community.
That impact can be seen across Owensboro and Daviess County.
The City of Owensboro utilizes tourism-generated funding to support major community assets including the new Bluegrass Fieldhouse and the Owensboro Convention Center.
Daviess County uses tourism-generated revenue to help support organizations including the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum, Owensboro Museum of Science and History, RiverPark Center, Owensboro Symphony, and other cultural and performing arts organizations that enrich our community.
At the same time, Visit Owensboro uses those same visitor-generated dollars to attract conventions, sporting events, group tours, and leisure travelers who support local hotels, restaurants, attractions, retailers, and small businesses.
“Tourism dollars are bucket fillers, not bucket takers,” said Mark Calitri, President & CEO of Visit Owensboro. “They bring new money into our community that supports local businesses, community organizations, arts, sports, attractions, and quality-of-life investments that benefit residents every day.”
The next time you attend a concert, visit a museum, enjoy a sporting event, attend a community festival, or see another tournament in town, remember:
Visitor spending is helping make those opportunities possible.
That’s value that stays right here in Owensboro and Daviess County.
Learn more about Mark Calitri’s work in leadership, destination marketing and community growth at markcalitri.com