These key messages will help you craft a speech, letter or presentation for National Tourism Week.

• We are all in Arkansas's Tourism Business.
• Arkansas residents, school children, retirees, business people, and non-tourism related businesses all benefit from travelers to our state.
• When visitors spend money in Arkansas, they support our cultural offerings with revenues, they help businesses pay employees and send kids to school.
• Visitors improve our quality of life.  They help make Arkansas a state known for some of the best natural attractions and activities in the world, in addition to awesome cultural and heritage offerings.

Statistical Key Messages

• Tourism is one of Arkansas's top three industries with nearly 23 million visitors coming to the state in 2012.
• $5.8 billion was generated in taxable sales by Arkansas tourism in 2012.
• Arkansas tourism equals jobs. In 2012, the tourism and hospitality industry directly employed nearly 59,000 people.

Comparable Data Key Messages

• Tourism spending increased in 2012 to $5.8 billion.

               2011: $5.7 billion
               2010: $5.5 billion
               2009: $5.3 billion
               2008: $5.5 billion
               2007: $5.3 billion
               2006: $5 billion
               2005: $4.63 billion
               2004: $4.33 billion
               2003: $3.94 billion
               2002: $3.92 billion
               2001: $3.81 billion

• In 2012, the total number of visitors to Arkansas was nearly 23 million.

               2011: 23 million
               2010: 22.8 million
               2009: 22.8 million
               2008: 23.8 million
               2007: 23.9 million
               2006: 23.0 million 
               2005: 21.9 million
               2004: 20.7 million
               2003: 19.6 million
               2002: 19.9 million
               2001: 19.8 million

Click on the Research tab at the top of the page for more detailed information, including the latest Economic Report on Tourism.