Katie Beck, CEO of AHA, provides update on the tourism industry

KUAR | By Ronak Patel

In an interview with Talk Business & Politics, Katie Beck, CEO of the Arkansas Hospitality Association, provided an update on the state’s hospitality industry.

According to the Arkansas Tourism Ticker, collections of Arkansas’ 2% statewide tourism tax in January-June 2023 saw a nearly 9% increase compared with the same period in 2022. Beck said part of the reason for the increase is travel is rebounding.

“During the pandemic, it was one of the hardest hit. It went from 2019 record jobs numbers to 2020 an industry that was decimated. Coming back and surpassing those pre-pandemic jobs levels, it is huge for the industry,” she said.

Katie Beck, CEO of AHA, provides update on the tourism industry

Michael Hibblen/KUAR News

The Buffalo National River is one of the main attractions for tourist to Arkansas. The state has seen an increase in tourism in the past year.

Survey Shows Arkansas Restaurants Are Struggling To Stay In Business

A new survey conducted by the Arkansas Hospitality Association shows that restaurants are still struggling as the coronavirus continues spreading through the state. According to the survey, 36% of restaurant operators believe it is unlikely they will still be in business six months from now without additional federal aid.

Arkansas restaurants are currently limited to two-thirds capacity for dine-in service, but the trade group’s CEO Montine McNulty says many eateries aren’t seeing even that much business as people are afraid to go out to eat while the virus continues reaching record levels in the state.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/survey-shows-arkansas-restaurants-are-struggling-stay-business

More than one-third of restaurants surveyed by the Arkansas Hospitality Association say that without new assistance for businesses by the federal government, it's unlikely they will still be in business six months from now.

CREDIT MICHAEL HIBBLEN / KUAR NEWS

State Grant Program Introduced to Help Hospitality, Service Sectors Struggling in Pandemic

A $50 million grant program for hospitality and service sector businesses impacted by the coronavirus pandemic launches Monday (Nov. 16) and state government leaders expect to make grant awards in late December.

Stacy Hurst, Arkansas Secretary for Parks, Heritage and Tourism, said the grants will hopefully help those hard-hit businesses stay alive until COVID-19 is under control.

https://talkbusiness.net/2020/11/window-opens-monday-for-state-grants-to-help-hospitality-service-sectors-struggling-in-pandemic/

Window opens Monday for state grants to help hospitality, service sectors struggling in pandemic - Talk Business & Politics

A $50 million grant program for hospitality and service sector businesses impacted by the coronavirus pandemic launches Monday (Nov. 16) and state government leaders expect to make grant awards in late December. Stacy Hurst, Arkansas Secretary for Parks, Heritage and Tourism, said the grants will hopefully help those hard-hit businesses stay alive until COVID-19 is under control.

Hospitality Industry Hanging Tough With Partial Help on the Way

Montine McNulty has led the Arkansas Hospitality Association since 1996. The statewide organization represents hotels, restaurants, convention and meeting spaces, and tourism destinations in Arkansas.

For the last decade the tourism and hospitality industry enjoyed unprecedented growth as the state added more attractions and amenities. Employment over the last decade grew by more than 20,000 jobs. Today, employment in the sector stands at 104,200, which is 17,000 fewer jobs than a year ago.

https://talkbusiness.net/2020/10/hospitality-industry-hanging-tough-with-partial-help-on-the-way/

Hospitality industry hanging tough with partial help on the way - Talk Business & Politics

Montine McNulty has led the Arkansas Hospitality Association since 1996. The statewide organization represents hotels, restaurants, convention and meeting spaces, and tourism destinations in Arkansas. For the last decade the tourism and hospitality industry enjoyed unprecedented growth as the state added more attractions and amenities.