Report: Arkansas tourism industry adds $9.9 billion to state economy

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

Arkansas tourism is now a $9.9 billion industry, and an estimated 50.7 million people visiting the state in 2023, up 17.1% compared with 2022 visitors, according to an economic impact study commissioned by the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism.

The study, announced Thursday (Oct. 17), was conducted by Tourism Economics with input from DK Shifflet.

Arkansas State Parks recorded 8.4 million visitors in 2023, and 4.3 million people visited National Park Service sites in the state. The new visitors spent an additional $700 million, pushing the industry to the verge of becoming a $10 billion industry and solidifying its position as Arkansas’ second largest economic driver, according to the report.

Report: Arkansas tourism industry adds $9.9 billion to state economy

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

From battlefield tours in Prairie Grove to sunset boat cruises in DeGray Lake, Arkansas State Parks hosts more than 42,000 educational programs, activities, and special events.

In Arkansas, there are 52 state parks in 48 counties covering 54,643 acres.

If you haven’t visited one of our state parks this summer, now is a perfect time to start planning. July is National Park and Recreation Month. And in Arkansas, we have a reason to celebrate.

Park and recreation professionals play a vital role in bringing people together, providing essential services, and fostering the growth of our communities. They make a positive impact on our state every single day. Parks help protect open spaces and natural resources. They also play a crucial role in our overall health and help to fight obesity by providing activities and resources for all people.

No matter where you live in Arkansas, a state park is nearby. The beauty of Arkansas’s parks is that they are all unique in their own way and all free for you to enjoy in your own way.

State parks include 12 swimming beaches, 37 boat launches, 9 marinas, 19 fishing piers, and access to 24 lakes and 18 rivers.

There are over 450 miles of walking and horse riding trails and the Monument Trails provide a world-class mountain biking destination within Arkansas State Parks.

In addition to providing recreation for Arkansas families, state parks are playing an essential role in our economy. Our parks attract more than 7,600,000 visitors annually. Visitor spending to our state parks, including goods purchased from local businesses, is estimated to have a $1 billion impact every year.

We encourage you to celebrate National Park and Recreation Month by exploring our parks. You can find a list of events, trails, and accommodations at arkansasstateparks.com

Sanders Announces Shea Lewis as Interim Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Today, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced Shea Lewis, currently Director of Arkansas State Parks, will be serving as interim Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism Secretary as Secretary Mike Mills steps away from the administration.

“Arkansas is the Natural State, and with his strong record of leadership in Arkansas parks and tourism, Shea Lewis is perfectly equipped to step seamlessly into this new role and continue our work to grow our outdoor economy and make Arkansas an unparalleled place to live, work, and raise a family,” Sanders said. “I thank Secretary Mills for his service to this administration and years of work as a pioneer in Arkansas’ tourism industry.”

Shea Lewis biography:

Shea Lewis was selected as the 10th director of Arkansas State Parks in 2022. In that role, he was responsible for the day-to-day operation of 52 state parks found in 48 counties, covering 55,000 acres across the state.

With over 9 million visitors on an annual basis, his areas of responsibility ranged from operations, maintenance, planning, development, emergency and program services, marketing, promotion, revenue, sales, outdoor grants, and general administration.

Shea started his career with Arkansas State Parks as a seasonal park interpreter in 1995. With nearly three decades under his belt, he has also served as a full-time interpreter, park superintendent, region supervisor, and deputy director for Arkansas State Parks.

He received a bachelor’s degree in parks, recreation, and leisure studies from the University of Memphis and a master’s degree in educational/instructional media design from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Proclamation on Arkansas State Parks Centennial Year

WHEREAS:    One hundred years ago, Governor Thomas Chipman McRae signed into law an act authorizing the acceptance of land for parks and state reservations in Arkansas; and

WHEREAS:    Through the passion, pursuit, and founding vision of Dr. T.W. Hardison, House Bill 873 passed without a dissenting vote and was signed into law as Act 276 of 1923, serving as the foundation by which the entirety of the Arkansas State Park system was established; and

WHEREAS:    Initial land was acquired for the creation of Petit Jean State Park on September 10, 1923, making it the first state park established in Arkansas; and

WHEREAS:    The passion and pursuit of Dr. T.W. Hardison and the state park idea, culminating in the 1920s, is a legacy that we appreciate and enjoy today, 100 years later; and 

WHEREAS:    The Arkansas State Parks Commission was created in 1927 to select and acquire areas of natural and scenic beauty and promote recreational enjoyment for the people of the state and the attraction of visitors; and

WHEREAS:    The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), created by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt during the Great Depression, began work in 1933 to construct Arkansas’ first state parks at Petit Jean, Mount Nebo, Crowley’s Ridge, Devil’s Den, Lake Catherine, and the future Buffalo National River; and

WHEREAS:    During his term, Governor Dale Bumpers invested more in Arkansas State Parks than ever before, doubling the number of state parks, an unprecedented, visionary investment in preservation, conservation and recreation; and

WHEREAS:    With the support of Governor Mike Huckabee, in 1996, voters approved an amendment to the state’s constitution for the collection of a one-eighth of one percent sales tax to support Arkansas State Parks, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Arkansas Heritage, and Keep Arkansas Beautiful, thus confirming the importance of wildlife conservation, state parks, and heritage resources to the citizens of Arkansas; and

WHEREAS:    With 52 state parks, 55,000 acres, and parks in 49 counties, Arkansas State Parks has grown into a representative sample of Arkansas scenic beauty, rich history and treasured culture; and

WHEREAS:    Each state park is a significant part of the fabric of Arkansas, and the Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism is charged with an important role in interpreting, maintaining and protecting some of the most cherished natural, historical, and cultural resources found in Arkansas; and

WHEREAS:    The State Parks of Arkansas have impacted and enhanced the quality of life of Arkansans and served guests from around the world; and

WHEREAS:    Collectively the Arkansas State Park system is one of the state’s largest tourism and economic drivers, adding over $1 billion each year to the state’s economy and having last year welcomed over 8 million guests into Arkansas parks and museums;
 
NOW, THEREFORE, I, SARAH HUCKABEE SANDERS, Governor of the State of Arkansas, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the laws of the State of Arkansas, do hereby proclaim the year 2023, as 
 

“ARKANSAS STATE PARKS CENTENNIAL YEAR”

And urge the citizens of the state to take cognizance of this event and participate fittingly in its observance.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Arkansas to be affixed the 1st day of March, in the year of our Lord 2023.

History of Famous Find at Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, AR

On permanent display in the visitor center at Arkansas's Crater of Diamonds State Park, the site where this splendid stone was discovered, the Strawn-Wagner Diamond is the most perfect diamond the American Gem Society (AGS) ever certified in its laboratory. Graded the perfect grade of O/O/O (Ideal cut/D color/Flawless), or "Triple Zero," it is the highest grade a diamond can achieve. This is the most perfect a cut diamond can be. A diamond this perfect is so rare that most jewelers and gemologists never see one during their career.

Found at the Crater of Diamonds State Park in 1990 by Shirley Strawn of Murfreesboro, Arkansas, this diamond weighed 3.03 carats in the rough. In 1997, under the recommendation of Bill Underwood, Arkansas's first certified gemologist, the gem was sent to Lazare Kaplan International of New York for cutting. Lazare Kaplan cut the gem to perfection into a 1.09-carat, round brilliant-shape diamond featuring an "Ideal Cut." This cut allows for the maximum amount of light to be reflected from one facet to another and up through the top.

https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/parks/crater-diamonds-state-park/history/famous-finds

Strawn-Wagner Arkansas State Parks

Shea Lewis named director of Arkansas State Parks

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

Shea Lewis was named Monday (Jan. 3) as the new director of Arkansas State Parks. He replaces Grady Spann, who retired at the end of December.

Lewis began in the role on Jan. 3 at a salary of $120,002.

Lewis brings 24 years of experience with Arkansas State Parks, both in day-to-day operations and in executive leadership roles. He currently serves as deputy director, a position he has held since 2017.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/01/shea-lewis-named-director-of-arkansas-state-parks/

Arkansas State Parks Director Grady Spann Announces Retirement

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

Grady Spann, who started his career with Arkansas State Parks in 1993 as superintendent of Parkin Archeological State Park and rose to director of the Division of Arkansas State Parks in 2016, has announced his retirement, effective at the end of this year.

“Grady has been a true leader of the parks and a very valuable member of my team,” said Stacy Hurst, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism. “He has moved up through the ranks in our parks system and is highly respected by his peers in the country’s systems of state parks. We will miss him but wish him all the best in this new chapter of his life.”

Spann said he knew this was the right time to retire and he thinks the division will be in good hands.

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/10/arkansas-state-parks-director-grady-spann-announces-retirement/

Arkansas Expects Tourism Bump From Leaf Peeping In October

By DAVID MONTEITH

State parks in Arkansas, which have seen increased visitation throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, expect to see even more traffic as temperatures drop and leaves become more colorful. Monika Rued, spokesperson for Arkansas State Parks, says leaf-peeping — visiting an area specifically to view its foliage — is very popular as trees change color each fall.

The state park's website gives general dates to expect trees to be most colorful in different regions of Arkansas, but weather can be a factor, with times potentially varying by more than a month.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/arkansas-expects-tourism-bump-leaf-peeping-october

Leaves were beginning to show fall colors Saturday at the historic Cunningham Cabin at Cabot Middle School South.

CREDIT WES GOODNER / FOR KUAR NEWS

After Record Year, Arkansas State Parks Reduce Operations Due to COVID-19 Surge

By DANIEL CARUTH

Following a record year as more people jumped at the chance to spend time outdoors during the pandemic, Arkansas State Parks is cutting back hours and operations at its visitor centers, museums, restaurants and two marinas in response to a surge in COVID-19 cases.

https://www.kuaf.com/post/after-record-year-arkansas-state-parks-reduce-operations-due-covid-19-surge

Governor Hutchinson’s Weekly Address | Fall Adventures in Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK – The blazing foliage of fall is reason enough to travel the Natural State this weekend, but there’s more to autumn in Arkansas than the brightly colored leaves. Today I’d like to mention a few spots worth a visit this time of year in addition to the trails of leaves.

Arkansas State Parks is a big part of our tourism economy, and tourism is Arkansas’s second-largest industry. More than 8 million tourists visit our state and its parks every year, which brings in a billion dollars annually.

We have fifty-two state parks in forty-eight counties. The parks system encompasses nearly 55,000 beautiful acres all over the state, including over 400 miles of trails for hiking, cycling, and horseback riding.

The leaves demand the most attention, of course. Kirk Jordan, a photographer who travels the state for Arkansas State Parks, spent Thursday on the road and said this weekend is a prime time for viewing in the Ouachitas and Ozarks. Farther north, and at higher elevations, the leaves have peaked, and in southern Arkansas, Kirk says you have a couple of weeks still. He said that this year’s colors are even brighter than last year.

Kirk contributes to Arkansas Tourism’s weekly Fall Color Update at Arkansas.com, where you also can read about our scenic roadways, such as the Talimena National Scenic Byway. In eastern Arkansas, Crowley’s Ridge Parkway and the Great River Road National Scenic Byways cut through the hardwoods of the St. Francis National Forest. The Pig Trail is one of five U.S. Forest Service Scenic Byways in the Ozark National Forest. Another is the Sylamore Byway, which runs between Calico Rock and Allison.

One of the great things about Arkansas is that you don’t have to stay in your car to enjoy the leaves. Five years ago, I was one of the first cyclists to ride on a section of the Delta Heritage Trail State Park near Helena-West Helena just as the leaves were starting to turn. That trail cuts through some of the prettiest landscape in the state. Since then, through various public and private-sector partnerships, our state has added miles and miles.

You can enjoy autumn from a canoe or kayak at Lake Monticello or Bayou Bartholomew, the longest bayou in the world and the second-most diverse stream in the nation with more than a hundred aquatic species. At Lake Chicot State Park, bird watchers on foot find this is a good time of year to add new sightings to their list.

The choices for autumn adventure are many. I hope you can find a moment to enjoy Arkansas. That’s a good way to clear your mind as you prepare to vote on Tuesday.