In an op-ed column by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Secretary Shea Lewis, Arkansas celebrates a remarkable milestone in its tourism sector.
The state has experienced an unprecedented surge in visitors, with 48.3 million people visiting in 2022, spending a staggering $9.2 billion. This surge represents a significant annual increase of 17.1% in visitors and 15.4% in expenditure, marking a historic high for the state.
The tourism industry, once on the brink of disaster during the pandemic, has made a remarkable recovery.
It has generated $15.7 billion in economic activity, making it the state’s second-largest industry after agriculture. The increase in tourism has also led to a record $24.3 million in Tourism Reinvestment Tax revenue, up 15.8% from the previous year. This revenue is earmarked for marketing Arkansas, further boosting tourism.
The Sanders Administration is committed to continuing this growth trajectory through smart policymaking. The Natural State Initiative, led by Arkansas’ First Gentleman, Bryan Sanders, aims to strengthen the outdoor economy by bringing together public and private sector experts. Legislative reforms have been enacted to enhance outdoor recreation access, including hunting, fishing, cycling, mountain biking, rock climbing, and paddling. State parks have seen reduced red tape, improved maintenance, and better amenities.
The administration has also launched the Natural State Initiative Pilot Program to encourage entrepreneurs to test new concepts in recreation areas, expanded grant initiatives for high-impact recreation projects in small towns, and broadened the Historic Tax Credit for main street revitalization. Additionally, the cost of lifetime hunting and fishing licenses for Arkansans under ten has been halved.
Private businesses and nonprofits are also contributing to the tourism boom. The Museum of Fine Arts in Little Rock and the Marshals Museum in Fort Smith have undergone significant developments. Outdoor Magazine has recognized Arkansas’ state park Monument Trails as the best mountain biking trails in the U.S. The inaugural Arkansas Graveler race and the Great American Eclipse are expected to draw even more visitors.
Governor Sanders asserts that this growth in tourism translates to more jobs, investment, and recreational opportunities for Arkansans. It positions Arkansas as an ideal place to live, work, and raise a family, further driving the state’s growth.