MEDIA ADVISORY

 Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal, Princess Anne of Britain joined Governor Paul Patton and First Lady Judi Patton for the Kentucky-United Kingdom Trade, Investment and Tourism Luncheon today, at the Radisson Plaza in Lexington. The focus of the luncheon was on the dynamic relationship between Kentucky and the United Kingdom and the opportunities for future growth. The Kentucky World Trade Center, the Tourism Development Cabinet and the Cabinet for Economic Development partnered in the event.

"International trade is of extreme importance to the Commonwealth of Kentucky", stated Governor Patton. "Last year, Kentucky companies sold more than $10.6 billion of goods overseas. That is an increase of 17%." Kentucky's export growth rate last year was the 3rd largest of all 50 states. And, during the 1990's Kentucky's export growth rate was the 4th fastest of all 50 states.

The United Kingdom is Kentucky’s 3rd largest trading partner. In 2002, Kentucky companies sold more than $824.2 million of goods to the United Kingdom. This is an increase of 3% over 2001. "Exports to the United Kingdom support over 10,250 jobs (directly, indirectly and induced), " remarked Gene Strong, Secretary of the Cabinet for Economic Development. Thirty British firms have operations in Kentucky, employing more than 4500 Kentuckians.

In addition to our excellent trade relationship, the United Kingdom is the most important overseas market for leisure travelers to the United States, as well as Kentucky. According to the Commercial Service at the US Embassy in London, about 110,000 British travelers visit Kentucky each year, spending $93 million annually in the Commonwealth.

"Kentucky has a tourism representative in the UK, which works to promote Kentucky as a tourism destination to UK tour operators, travel agents, airlines, and the general public," stated Ann Latta, Secretary of the Tourism Development Cabinet. Governor Patton has participated in two tourism sales missions to the UK on behalf of Kentucky tourism during his administration. He is the only Governor to have led a tourism sales mission internationally. At present, some 30 UK tour operators feature some Kentucky product in their catalogs that are distributed to travel agents throughout the UK.

While in the United Kingdom last summer on an economic development trip, the governor and first lady hand-delivered an invitation asking Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Princess Anne to attend the opening of "All the Queens’ Horses" art exhibit at the Kentucky Horse Park. The Kentucky-United Kingdom Trade, Investment and Tourism Luncheon was just another aspect of her trip to the Commonwealth.