Arkansas tourism officials welcome rebound of visitors

KUAR | By Daniel Breen

Arkansas’ tourism industry is nearly back to pre-pandemic levels, according to a new study.

The 2021 Arkansas Tourism Economic Impact Report shows tourism jobs in the state rose to 95% of pre-pandemic levels last year. Jobs in the tourism industry grew by nearly 24% compared to 2020, with over 64,000 more Arkansans employed.

Stacy Hurst, secretary of the Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, says the state’s economy is also seeing a rebound thanks to the increase in visitors.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-09-19/arkansas-tourism-officials-welcome-visitor-revenue-rebound

Jared Sorrells/Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau

Cyclists ride one of the Monument Trails at Pinnacle Mountain State Park in Little Rock.

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/

Tourism, Economic Development Leaders Partner To Recruit Return To Arkansas

By ROBY BROCK / TALK BUSINESS & POLITICS

While COVID-19 has impacted tourism and travel as well as business expansion, Arkansas is pushing forward to remain open and ready for business. Tourism and economic officials in Arkansas have spent many years trying to convince people to work, live and play in Arkansas.

Three people working hard on those efforts have new tools and new collaborations to conduct their business thanks to the Arkansas Legislature and a Gov. Asa Hutchinson executive order to develop more outdoor recreation businesses. Secretary of Parks, Heritage & Tourism Stacy Hurst, Secretary of Commerce Mike Preston, and Arkansas Tourism Director Travis Napper recently sat down with TB&P Editor-in-Chief Roby Brock.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/tourism-economic-development-leaders-partner-recruit-return-arkansas

(Clockwise) Arkansas Tourism Director Travis Napper, Talk Business & Politics Editor-in-Chief Roby Brock, Secretary of Parks, Heritage & Tourism Stacy Hurst and Secretary of Commerce Mike Preston discuss efforts to draw tourists back to Arkansas.

CREDIT TALK BUSINESS & POLITICS

Tourism Secretary Hurst Touts Legislative Accomplishments, Speaks to State Image

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

Stacy Hurst, Arkansas’ secretary of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, said while the recent legislative session spiked emails to her agency due to negative national headlines, there were also a number of positive achievements made in the 93rd General Assembly.

Appearing on this week’s edition of Talk Business & Politics, Hurst said the national press garnered from legislation centered around “culture wars” has resulted in an increase in opinions for her agency to field.

“We’re getting some emails from individuals mainly. And we just respond that Arkansas is a very welcoming state. We’re known for our hospitality,” she said, noting that there has not been the type of economic response seen in North Carolina after it passed, and then rescinded, a transgender bathroom law a couple of years ago.

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/05/tourism-secretary-hurst-touts-legislative-accomplishments-speaks-to-state-image/

Little Rock To Host National Junior College Football Championship

By DANIEL BREEN

Central Arkansas will be the host of the National Junior College Athletic Association Football Championship for the next three years.

State and local tourism officials joined Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. for the announcement Friday at War Memorial Stadium, which will host the games. Hutchinson said the opportunity is now possible thanks to relaxed coronavirus restrictions.

“We’re wide open. We’re doing business, we’re vaccinated, we’re increasing that every day, our cases are down, and we’re going to be in business for a long time. We never shut down, we’re going to have our crowds, we’re planning on that, and so we’re ready for this,” Hutchinson said.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/little-rock-host-national-junior-college-football-championship

[Left to right] LRCVB President & CEO Gretchen Hall, NJCAA President & CEO Dr. Christopher Parker, Gov. Asa Hutchinson, Arkansas Parks, Heritage and Tourism Secretary Stacy Hurst and Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. meet at Little Rock's War Memorial Stadium.

CREDIT DANIEL BREEN / KUAR NEWS

Historic Preservation Leads to $224 Million in Private Investments Over Last Decade

Historic preservation in Arkansas has been a significant economic engine, according to a report commissioned by the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program (AHPP).

Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism Secretary Stacy Hurst said Monday (Oct. 26) the report demonstrates how vital historic preservation is to the state’s economy by noting that in the last decade the Arkansas Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit has attracted nearly $224 million in private investment for the rehabilitation of historic properties.

https://talkbusiness.net/2020/10/report-historic-preservation-leads-to-224-million-in-private-investments-over-last-decade/

Report: Historic preservation leads to $224 million in private investments over last decade - Talk Business & Politics

Historic preservation in Arkansas has been a significant economic engine, according to a report commissioned by the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program (AHPP). Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism Secretary Stacy Hurst said Monday (Oct.