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 Tourism Ticker: Early 2022 numbers show broad recovery in Arkansas’ tourism sector

by Michael Tilley (mtilley@talkbusiness.net)

Hospitality tax collections and tourism job numbers in the first two months of 2022 show a post-COVID-19 recovery, with double-digit percentage gains in tax revenue compared to the pre-pandemic months of January and February 2020.

Arkansas’ 2% tourism tax revenue in January and February was $2.704 million, up 48% compared with the $1.827 million in the same period of 2021 and up 17.6% over the same period in 2019. The 2021 collections of the tax ($20.544 million) set an annual record for the tax, and January and February 2022 set new monthly records.

January-February hospitality tax collections among 17 cities surveyed for the Arkansas Tourism Ticker were up 27.3% compared with the same period in 2021, and up 14.5% compared with the same period in 2020.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/05/arkansas-tourism-ticker-early-2022-numbers-show-broad-recovery-in-arkansas-tourism-sector/

Tourism Still Suffering as Pandemic Lingers

By KYLE KELLAMS

Fourteen months into a pandemic and Arkansas tourism is still suffering, especially hotels. Michael Tilley, with Talk Business and Politics crunches the latest tourism numbers as part of our weekly review of the news.

https://www.kuaf.com/post/tourism-still-suffering-pandemic-lingers

COURTESY

Arkansas’ Jobless Rate Dips to 4.4%, Tourism Sector Continues to Post Most Job Losses

by Michael Tilley (mtilley@talkbusiness.net)

Arkansas had 18,549 fewer employed in March compared to March 2020, with 60% of the job losses coming from the state’s hard hit tourism sector, according to Friday’s (April 16) report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

The state’s jobless rate in March was 4.4%, down from 4.5% in February and below the 3.8% in March 2020. The number of employed in Arkansas during March was an estimated 1,299,702, down 18,549 jobs compared with March 2020.

The biggest sector losses were in Leisure & Hospitality (11,100 fewer jobs), Government (down 8,600 jobs) and Education and Health Services (down 5,800 jobs). Manufacturing posted the largest year-over-year gains with 1,600 added jobs, and the Construction sector posted a year-over-year job gain of 1,000 jobs. The March numbers are preliminary and subject to revision. The report marked the first full year of COVID-19 impacts on the economy.

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/04/arkansas-jobless-rate-dips-to-4-4-tourism-sector-continues-to-post-most-job-losses/

Arkansas Tourism Officials Encourage People To Take Action On ‘Plan For Vacation Day’

By ALEXANDRIA BROWN

The coronavirus pandemic has prompted officials to encourage people not to travel, causing the cancellation of many vacation plans. But the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism and its partners are urging residents to enjoy some time off while staying in the state.

Tuesday was National Plan for Vacation Day, with officials saying there are plenty of things to do while remaining safe. Tourism is a vital part of the state's economy.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/arkansas-tourism-officials-encourage-people-take-action-plan-vacation-day

Withrow Springs at Huntsville, which features a 150-foot high bluff overlooking the creek and Ozark Mountains, is one of the places touted for vacations in Arkansas.

CREDIT ARKANSAS STATE PARKS

Arkansas Tourism Shows Impact of COVID-19 between March and June

Arkansas’ tourism industry is not in ICU, but COVID-19 certainly has one of the state’s largest economic sectors on its heels. The state’s 2% tourism tax is down 30.4% between January and June, and job numbers are down almost 14%.

Arkansas’ 2% tourism tax revenue between January and June was $5.905 million, down 30.4% compared with the $8.488 million in the same period in 2019. The tax was up 7.2% in 2019. February revenue of $1.366 million set a new monthly record for the tax, but then, well, COVID.

https://talkbusiness.net/2020/09/arkansas-tourism-ticker-shows-impact-of-covid-19-between-march-and-june/

Arkansas Tourism Ticker shows impact of COVID-19 between March and June - Talk Business & Politics

Arkansas' tourism industry is not in ICU, but COVID-19 certainly has one of the state's largest economic sectors on its heels. The state's 2% tourism tax is down 30.4% between January and June, and job numbers are down almost 14%.