Collections of Arkansas’ 2% tourism tax needed only 11 of the 12 months of 2014 to set a new annual record. Richard Davies said this might happen.
Collections of Arkansas’ 2% tourism tax during the first 11 months of 2014 totaled $12.866 million, up 7.51% compared to the $11.967 million during the same period of 2013.
The 2% tourism tax set a record in 2013 by reaching $12.716 million, and the 2014 numbers are on track to reach more than $13.5 million in 2014. When the 2013 record was set, Davies, executive director of the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism, predicted that 2014 would be even better.
The 2013 collections were up 2.5% compared to the $12.405 million in 2012, and well ahead of the $11.378 million slump in 2009 when national economic conditions proved tough on Arkansas’ tourism industry.
Growth in tourism jobs has tracked with growth in statewide tourism tax collections, with employment recently hitting a new record for Arkansas’ travel and tourism industry. Arkansas’ tourism sector (leisure & hospitality) employed 109,400 during November, up from 109,200 during December, and above the 106,600 during November 2013. The November number, if it stands, marks a new record for employment in the sector.
Arkansas’ tourism sector (leisure & hospitality) employed 113,900 during December, up from 110,400 during November, and above the 106,900 during December 2013. The December number, if it stands, marks a new record for employment in the sector. Employment in the sector is up 23% in the past 10 years.
The positive statewide numbers were likely helped by increased tourism and travel activity in Northwest Arkansas. Football, craft fairs, art and a growing Northwest Arkansas economy helped to spur a 8.2% jump in hospitality taxes among the region’s four largest cities through the first 10 months of 2014.
Bentonville Fayetteville, Rogers and Springdale reported $4.805 million in hospitality taxes from January through October 2014. That compared to $4.44 million reported in the same period of 2013. Each of the cities collect a 2% hotel tax, Fayetteville also collects a 2% prepared-food tax, while Bentonville has 1% restaurant and prepared-food tax.
The third quarter results (July through September) for the four cities rose 9.8% fueled in part by an impressive 14.6% gain in Bentonville and a 17.8% rise in Springdale.
Employment in the region’s tourism industry was 22,300 during December, down from a revised 22,500 in November but ahead of the 21,100 in December 2013. Sector employment reached a record of 22,800 in September. Employment in the regional sector is up 45.7% compared to the 15,300 employed in December 2004.