Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism
Jeff LeMaster to Lead Communications at Parks, Heritage & Tourism
He's a former editor at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and calls himself “first and foremost a storyteller." read more >
by Kyle Massey -
$13.8M Grant Could Bridge the Gap for Delta Heritage Trail
Boosters of the Delta Heritage Trail in east Arkansas hope to hear good news very soon that the second time was the charm to land a momentous check from Uncle Sam. read more >
by George Waldon -
In Age of Influencers, P. Allen Smith Faces Pay Cut
Instead of boosting his state pay for promoting Arkansas from $200,000 to $845,000 a year, gardening and lifestyle star P. Allen Smith appears likely to get 95% less than his previous contract provided — or perhaps nothing at all. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
P. Allen Smith Budget Battle Reveals State’s Digital Divide
If you needed a handy metric to illustrate how far newspapers have sunk in the new media world, ponder this:
Of the nearly $7 million a year Arkansas spends on media marketing to promote state tourism, only one one-thousandth — about $7,000 — goes to newspapers. read more >
Should Arkansas Quadruple P. Allen Smith’s Pay?
Before calculating whether Arkansas gardening and lifestyle celebrity P. Allen Smith is worth $845,000 a year to the state for promotion, consider this: State tourism and marketing officials say they have better ways to spend the $200,000 a year Smith has been getting. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
Singing the Praises of Arkansas Traveling
After 180 years, it’s time for an update to "The Arkansas Traveler," thanks to the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism and its marketing agency, CJRW. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
Cynthia Dunlap Sees Love for Arkansas Coming Naturally for Visitors
Cynthia Dunlap, the interim director of the Department of Parks & Tourism, says tourism tax receipts are up, and robust in the northwest. read more >
Genealogy Travel A Perfect Fit for Arkansas (Jeanne Rollberg Commentary)
Tourism is an important part of our heritage. Didn’t the Arkansas Traveler of lore seek both adventure and learning? read more >
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Committee: Timing Not Right for Trojan Football Program
A committee appointed to review the findings of a football feasibility study for the University of Arkansas at Little Rock recommends that the university hold off on establishing a football program. read more >
Hot Springs So Real You Feel Virtual Steam
A two-part production, “Hot Springs: The Experience of a Lifetime" is the centerpiece of Arkansas' first VR tourism campaign. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
Arkansas Tourism Website Reborn, With Advertising
For all its images of scenic rivers, brooks and waterfalls, the most striking new feature on the state’s overhauled tourism website may be a revenue stream. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
CJRW, Waymack & Crew Hit Award Jackpot for Lottery Spots
CJRW and its neighbors and frequent partners across Main Street, the video production team at Waymack & Crew, brought home some shiny trinkets last month at the Hermes Creative Awards and Telly Awards. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
As AY Turns 30, AMP Gets Back Into Print
AY Magazine will soon be home to a new print version of Arkansas Money & Politics, a Vowell Inc. publication that has been online-only for the past two years. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
Big River Trail Blazing Adds More Mileage To Tourism Byway
A nearly $1.6 million project will mark an important step toward creating a biking-hiking corridor along the full length of the state’s Mississippi River valley. read more >
by George Waldon -
Arkansas Parks & Tourism Lodges Highlight Mountains & Lakes
The big five money-makers in state parks last year were cabin rentals, more than $5.2 million; camping, $4.8 million; restaurants, more than $4.7 million; lodges, nearly $4.6 million; and gift shops, almost $3.2 million. read more >
by George Waldon -
Plains & Eastern Clean Line Appears Doomed In Arkansas
After putting nearly nine years and more than $100 million of investors’ money into a $2.5 billion power transmission project across Oklahoma and Arkansas, the electric dream of Michael Skelly has shorted out. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
UA Little Rock Selects Firm to Study Adding Football, Band
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has selected Convention Sports & Leisure of Plano, Texas, to conduct feasibility study that will help the university determine whether it should add a football team and a marching band to its offerings. read more >
Budget Plan Endangers Ads Luring Foreign Tourists to Arkansas
President Donald Trump’s best-known promise is to build a wall, but some Arkansas travel professionals fear that a side-effect of his zeal for border security could keep out the kind of foreigners America wants: free-spending tourists. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
Joe David Rice Reflects on Being Arkansas’ ‘Accidental’ Tourism Director
Joe David Rice, who is departing as the state’s longest-serving tourism chief, served five governors including Bill Clinton. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
Jess Ardrey Takes Over Editor’s Slot at Soiree (Movers & Shakers)
Jess Ardrey has been named editor of Little Rock Soirée, the monthly magazine of philanthropy, society and culture published by Arkansas Business Publishing Group, which also publishes Arkansas Business. read more >