More than 50 million tourists visited Arkansas in 2023, study says

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — More than 50 million tourists visited the Natural State in 2023, according to a study commissioned by the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism.

The study, conducted by Tourism Economics and input from DK Shifflet, found that 50.7 million visited Arkansas last year, an increase of 17.1 percent from 2022 when 48.3 million came to the state.

It also mentioned that 8.4 million visited Arkansas State Parks and more than four million visited at least one of the state’s six National Park Services sites.

Those visitors spent around $9.9 billion, a 7.5 percent increase from 2022.

“Tourism is our state’s second largest industry and when it grows, Arkansas’ entire economy grows with it,” Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a news release. “I’m proud our investments in – and promotion of – Arkansas’ outdoor recreation are paying off, and I’m glad we’re welcoming more visitors than ever to The Natural State.”

The study said the highest spending categories by visitors last year were transportation, food and lodging. Transportation accounted for the largest share of overall spending at $3 billion.

To see the full study, visit the state’s website .

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