Kentucky Offering Travel Incentives To Spur COVID-19 Vaccination

Kentucky tourism officials are offering travel incentives in hopes of motivating more residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and to ensure that the state is seen as a safe destination amid the pandemic.

Launched Thursday, the Vax & Visit KY initiative will include 30 drawings for gift certificates for a Kentucky “safe-cation” at one of 45 state parks. Highlights include an overnight stay and golf at Dale Hollow, Pennyrile, Lake Barkley, Barren River or Kentucky Dam Village; golf rounds with a cart included at any of the 13 state park golf courses and an overnight stay at any of the 30 state park campgrounds.

“Permanent residents of Kentucky who have received at least the first dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines or the one dose of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine are eligible,” according to the state. “Permanent residents of Kentucky are eligible even if they received the vaccine in a different state.” To enter, you must provide your name, birthdate, email address, phone number, home address and the name and location of the place where you received your COVID-19 vaccine. Participants must also agree to allow the Kentucky Department for Public Health to verify their vaccination information.

The initial drawing will take place on September 8 and the 30 winners will be announced publicly by Gov. Andy Beshear on September 9, September 23 and October 7, 2021, with 10 being revealed each day.

“Offering vaccine incentives to Kentucky State Parks will not only boost travel revenue in local communities, but also ensure that Kentucky continues to be seen as a safe travel destination post pandemic,” Kentucky State Parks, Tourism, Arts and Heritage Secretary Mike Berry told the Associated Press.