Shea Lewis
Arkansas Officials Move to Designate Blanchard Springs Caverns as State Park
The designation would create new tourism and recreation opportunities, while protecting endangered species and helping to preserve the caverns. read more >
Arkansas Climbing Scene Reaches New Heights
Fueled by passionate volunteers and growing support, rock climbing in Arkansas is transforming from a niche hobby into a tourism draw. read more >
by Chloe McGehee -
2024 Arkansas Food Hall of Fame Winners Announced
The winners for the 2024 Arkansas Food Hall of Fame were announced Monday. read more >
Tourism Tax Receipts Up 8% in Eclipse April, But No Record Set
Analysis after the fact has taught tourism officials that the market for a solar eclipse is much like the market for state parks and other outdoor recreation. read more >
by Gwen Moritz -
CJRW Again? Little Rock Firm Likely to Keep State Tourism Account
A $26 million-a-year series of contracts for advertising Arkansas tourism appears headed to five-decade vendor CJRW of Little Rock last week despite serious misgivings from some state lawmakers. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
Reading The Future: Tourism & Hospitality (40 Years of Arkansas Business)
The future of the tourism and hospitality industry in Arkansas is so bright you just might need shades, particularly if you came to the state to view the total solar eclipse on April 8. read more >
by Jan Cottingham -
Eclipse Economics: Arkansas Expects Tourism Boom on the Horizon
To calculate how many eclipse chasers will be looking skyward in Arkansas at 1:45 p.m. on Monday, April 8, economists and tourism officials started by looking backward. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
Little Rock to Host Southeast Tourism Society Showcase, PR Media Event
The regional “appointment style” marketplace will be at the Statehouse Convention Center and will offer tourism professionals a chance to engage directly with group tour professionals and southeastern suppliers. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
Filmmaker Jeff Nichols to Keynote Arkansas Governor’s Conference on Tourism
The event is schedule for Feb. 25-27 in Jonesboro. read more >
Arkansas Year in Review: Top 10 Business Stories of 2023
Businesses and consumers in Arkansas and the rest of the country spent 2023 in the shadow of rising interest rates. Businesses dealt with other adversity, including rising insurance rates and a deadly March tornado. Other stories this year were more hopeful.
read more >
Polk County’s Ambitious Plan to Expand Tourism
A grand plan backed by enthusiastic supporters would build new tourism byways to traverse Polk County by land and air. read more >
by George Waldon -
Johnson Statue Installed at Delta Heritage Trail State Park
A statue honoring publisher John H. Johnson was unveiled Nov. 1 at Delta Heritage Trail State Park in Arkansas City. read more >
Report: 48M People Visited Arkansas in 2022
Tourism is a $9.2 billion industry in Arkansas, and more than 48 million people visited the state last year, according to the state Department of Parks, Heritage & Tourism. read more >
Sanders Names Dalaney Thomas as Tourism Director
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders names Dalaney Thomas, a former tourism account manager for CJRW of Little Rock, director of tourism at the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage & Tourism. read more >
Arkansas Graveler, a 336-Mile Cycling Event, Planned to Start in 2024
About 400 touring and recreational cyclists from across the country are expected to participate next year, providing an economic boost at each stop along the route. read more >
Arkansas Parks Celebrate 100 Years
A yearlong birthday bash will promote notable events and upgrades at some of the most popular state parks in Arkansas. read more >
by George Waldon -
Shea Lewis Keeps Communities, State Parks in Same Camp
Arkansas State Parks Director Shea Lewis says he expects the trend of record visitation to continue this year. read more >
Shea Lewis Picked to Lead Arkansas State Parks
He now leads the operation of 52 state parks and oversees a $158 million annual budget. read more >
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