LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Arkansas welcomed 52 million visitors in 2024, a 2.6% increase over the previous year, marking another record-breaking year for the state’s tourism economy. According to the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism (ADPHT), those visitors spent $10.3 billion across the Natural State, representing a 4% rise in direct visitor spending over 2023.
When factoring in supply chain and income effects, Arkansas’ total tourism-related economic impact reached $17.4 billion. That impact supports local businesses, generates jobs, and reduces tax burdens across the state.
“From beautiful rivers and lakes to world-class hiking and mountain biking trails, Arkansas is a fantastic place to visit – and the whole world is starting to find out,” said Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders. “Thanks to the Natural State Initiative – led by my husband Bryan — we are investing in our strengths, growing our outdoor economy, and establishing ourselves as the leading destination for year-round outdoor adventure. Today’s record-high tourism figures show that our strategy is working.”
The findings, compiled by Tourism Economics, highlight the growing role of the visitor economy in shaping Arkansas’ overall economic health. Officials at ADPHT say the data helps guide decisions aimed at strengthening the state’s tourism infrastructure and attracting even more visitors.
“Arkansas captivates travelers with stunning landscapes, wide range of outdoor recreation activities and genuine hospitality,” said Shea Lewis, secretary of ADPHT. “The Natural State’s year-round offerings not only drive visitation but also play a vital role in strengthening Arkansas’ economy.”
The report shows that daily visitor spending averages $28.2 million, directly supporting 71,633 jobs—roughly 3.9% of all employment in the state. An additional 31,034 jobs are supported indirectly. Combined, the visitor economy is responsible for one in every 18 jobs in Arkansas.
Leading the way in year-over-year spending growth was the food and beverage sector, with $3 billion spent in 2024—up 6.5%. Retail and recreation spending increased by 5.8% and 4%, respectively. Lodging experienced a 3.3% bump, largely driven by growth in the short-term rental market. Transportation spending was up slightly at 0.6%, aided by lower fuel prices.
Strength in the Outdoor Recreation Economy
For the first time, ADPHT also released detailed data highlighting the economic contributions of the state’s outdoor recreation economy, emphasizing how intertwined outdoor access is with Arkansas’ broader tourism success.
According to the Arkansas Office of Outdoor Recreation, outdoor-related industries generated $7.3 billion in economic impact and supported 68,000 jobs in 2023. Outdoor recreation now accounts for 2.5% of Arkansas’ total GDP—outpacing the state’s agriculture sector—and has grown 33% since 2019, well above the national average of 27%.
“Arkansas’ outdoor recreation economy is a powerful driver of economic growth, generating billions in consumer spending annually while supporting thousands of jobs across rural and urban communities across the state,” said Jonas Crews of Heartland Forward. “Outdoor recreation creates sustainable, year-round employment opportunities in manufacturing, supply chain, retail and hospitality industries while preserving the natural heritage that makes Arkansas such a special place to live and work.”
The outdoor economy’s resilience is partially rooted in Arkansas’ manufacturing and logistics infrastructure. Thirty-six percent of its value comes from manufacturing, transportation and warehousing—industries less vulnerable to seasonal dips or travel-related slowdowns. Manufacturing jobs in this sector average $84,600 annually, more than 20% higher than the state average. Arkansas ranks fourth nationally in outdoor product manufacturing GDP share.
The state also leads in construction tied to outdoor amenities. Between 2019 and 2023, that category saw a 52.7% increase—the fastest growth in the country. Arkansas also ranks third in GDP growth related to hunting, shooting and trapping, and eighth in fishing-related GDP growth.
A new dataset developed by ARData enables the state to monitor outdoor recreation employment by region in near real time. In 2024, Arkansas added 2,300 new outdoor jobs, bringing the total to 32,839—2.5% of all jobs in the state.
Officials say the steady growth of both tourism and outdoor recreation points to the success of a cross-sector approach that prioritizes infrastructure investment, job creation, and stewardship of natural resources.
Together, these reports reflect how Arkansas’ natural beauty and economic vision are working in tandem to attract visitors, build strong local economies, and establish a resilient, year-round outdoor recreation economy.
This article was originally published on ArkansasOutside.com, your trusted source for outdoor news and updates in The Natural State. Unless otherwise credited, all photos included in this piece are the property of Arkansas Outside, LLC. We take pride in sharing the beauty and adventures of Arkansas through our lens—thank you for supporting our work!
