The Kentucky Wildlands, a regional tourism marketing initiative, announced a 2024 Ambassador Program to expand and promote southern and eastern Kentucky as a regional tourism destination. The newly launched program is seeking tourism ambassadors to share the region’s rich heritage and showcase the natural beauty of a sprawling 14,000-square-mile region spanning 41 southern and eastern Kentucky counties.
“We’re very excited to launch this program,” said Tammie Nazario, director of The Kentucky Wildlands. “We already have some amazing ambassadors who helped launch the popular Kentucky Wildlands Waterfall Trail and now we’re ready to grow that network as we move toward future projects.”
The program aims to turn every visitor encounter into a positive experience and grow new storytellers for Eastern Kentucky. According to Nazario, storytelling has always been one of the most effective ways to connect with people, especially in Appalachia. This desire to share one’s story and be surrounded by listeners is what makes this program powerful.
Ambassadors will work in partnership with The Kentucky Wildlands to represent the region in a positive light and establish brand recognition; create online content such as reviews, posts and blogs; facilitate communication by reviewing and listening to visitors’ comments and suggestions and relaying them to the team; and attending or helping to organize tourism events.
To become a 2024 Ambassador, please visit explorekywildlands.com and complete an application form.
For more information, contact The Kentucky Wildlands at 606-677-6150 or email administrator@kywildlands.com.
The Kentucky Wildlands is a regional tourism initiative in 41 Southern and Eastern Kentucky counties: Adair, Bath, Bell, Breathitt, Casey, Clay, Clinton, Cumberland, Estill, Floyd, Garrard, Green, Harlan, Jackson, Jessamine, Johnson, Knott, Knox, Laurel, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Lincoln, Magoffin, Martin, McCreary, Menifee, Metcalfe, Monroe, Morgan, Owsley, Perry, Pike, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Rowan, Russell, Wayne, Whitley and Wolfe. It showcases the region’s majestic beauty and rich heritage to drive economic development.
Components of The Kentucky Wildlands initiative include a media campaign, hospitality education, itinerary development and entrepreneur training.
The initiative was launched by Eastern Kentucky PRIDE Inc., a nonprofit organization, with grant funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission and Economic Development Administration.