Key Messages
These key messages will help you craft a speech, letter or presentation for National Tourism Week.
- We are all in Arkansas' 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' top three industries with more than 29 million visitors coming to the state in 2017.
- $7.8 billion was generated in taxable sales by Arkansas tourism in 2017.
- Arkansas tourism equals jobs. In 2017, the tourism and hospitality industry directly employed 66,195 people.
Comparable Data Key Message
Tourism spending increased in 2017 to $7.8 billion.
2016: $7.6 billion
2015: $7.2 billion
2014: $6.7 billion
2013: $5.9 billion
2012: $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 2017, the total number of visitors to Arkansas was 29 million.
2016: 29 million
2015: 28 million
2014: 26 million
2013: 23.3 million
2012: 23 million
2011: 23 million
2010: 22.8 million
2009: 22.8 million
2008: 23.8 million
2007: 23.9 million
2006: 23 million
2005: 21.9 million
2004: 20.7 million
2003: 19.6 million
2002: 19.9 million
2001: 19.8 million