Visitors to Arkansas generated $17.4 billion in total economic impact in 2024, according to a new report released by the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism.
The state saw 52 million visitors last year, a 2.6% increase from 2023, officials said. Of the total economic impact, $10.3 billion came from direct visitor spending, while the remaining $7.1 billion resulted from supply chain and income effects.
Daily visitor spending averaged $28.2 million, supporting more than 70,000 direct jobs statewide, according to the report.
Food and beverage led all spending categories, bringing in $3 billion – a 6.5% increase over the previous year. Other sectors including retail, recreation, lodging and transportation also saw growth.
Officials attributed part of the increase to expanding outdoor recreation offerings. The state added more than 2,300 outdoor-related jobs in 2024, bringing the total to 32,839.
Arkansas’ outdoor recreation economy remains a significant economic driver, generating billions in consumer spending and supporting jobs across both rural and urban communities, the department said.
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