In conjunction with the 29th annual observance of National Tourism Week, Arkansas
Tourism Week will be observed May 5-13 this year. Designated by the U.S. Travel
Association, Arkansas Tourism Week will serve as an opportunity to emphasize the
economic impact of travel and tourism, as well as to show appreciation to travelers who
make it happen. With tourism providing almost 60,000 jobs in Arkansas and state
travelers spending almost $5.7 billion in 2011, tourism is ranked as the #2 economic
industry in the state.
In celebration of travel and tourism, The Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism will
host a Travel Rally on the front steps of the State Capitol Tuesday, May 8 at 11 a.m.
Remarks will be made by Arkansas Tourism Director Joe David Rice, Little Rock
Convention and Visitors Bureau (LRCVB) CEO, Gretchen Hall and Miss Arkansas 2011
Kristen Glover.
Also throughout the week, the LRCVB will host a variety of hospitality and destination
training sessions for many of the frontline faces of tourism. Taxi Training sessions will be
held Tuesday, May 8 and Wednesday, May 9, for local taxi drivers at the Statehouse
Convention Center. Compliments of the LRCVB, taxi drivers who attend the Hospitality
Training Sessions will receive a FREE car wash for their taxi under the River Market
Pavilions Wednesday, May 9. Local hospitality leaders will be washing cars as a way to
thank drivers for their participation in the training sessions and their contribution to the
tourism industry.
On Friday, May 11 and Monday, May 14, the LRCVB will host Hospitality Training
sessions at Statehouse Convention Center for all frontline Little Rock hospitality
personnel. Sessions will include two-hour training and a two-hour guided tour of Little
Rock. In appreciation, those who attend will receive FREE ADMISSION for themselves
and a guest to enjoy extended hours at the Museum of Discovery or the Little Rock Zoo
from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
For more information, please contact John Mayner at the Little Rock Convention and
Visitors Bureau at 501-370-3224, or by email at jmayner@littlerock.com. For media
request, please contact Angela Rogers at 501-940-5636, or by email at
ARKANSAS TOURISM WEEK – SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Tuesday, May 8:
11 AM – Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism Travel Rally at State Capitol
9 AM – 11:30 AM (Taxi Training Morning Session) Statehouse – Caraway Room
1 PM – 3:30 PM (Taxi Training Afternoon Session) Statehouse – Caraway Room
Wednesday, May 9:
9 AM – 11:30 AM (Taxi Training Morning Session) Statehouse – Caraway Room
1 PM – 3:30 PM (Taxi Training Afternoon Session) Statehouse – Caraway Room
3 PM – 6 PM Complimentary Taxi Car Wash – River Market Pavilions
Friday, May 11:
8:30 AM – 12:30 PM (Hospitality Training Morning Session) Statehouse –
Caraway Room
1 PM – 5 PM (Hospitality Training Afternoon Session) Statehouse – Caraway
Room
Monday, May 14:
8:30 AM – 12:30 PM (Hospitality Training Morning Session) Statehouse –
Caraway Room
1 PM – 5 PM (Hospitality Training Afternoon Session) Statehouse – Caraway
Room
TOURISM IMPACT BY THE NUMBERS – FACT SHEET
Nationally (information provided by US Travel Association)
• Travel ranked as #6 employer in the US (14 million jobs supported)
• $758.7 Billion in direct spending in the US in 2010 (leisure travel=$526
billion & business travel=$233 billion)
• 1 out of 9 US jobs depend on travel and tourism
• Travel is among the top 10 industries in 48 states in terms of employment
• Each household would pay $1000 more in taxes without the tax revenue
generated by travel and tourism
Arkansas (information provided by Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism)
• Tourism is the #2 economic industry in Arkansas
• Travelers spent almost $5.7 billion in Arkansas in 2011
• Direct tax receipts: over $400 million
• Tourism provides almost 60,000 jobs in Arkansas
Pulaski County (information provided by Arkansas Department of Parks &
Tourism)
• Total travel expenditures in 2011 = $1,560,647,602 ($1.5 billion)
• Travel generated tax receipts a little over $96 million (state + local)
o Travel generated local tax = $26,776,328 (almost $27 million)
o Travel generated state tax = $60,946,680 ($60 million)
• Total Tax Receipts/Pulaski County Population = $251 per person (total
local citizens save due to tourism)
• Visitor trips in 2011 = 5,582,627 (over 5.5 million)
• Tourism jobs = 12,890
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