Arkansas Celebrating Tourism Week May 9 - 17

By Jill M. Rohrbach, Ark. Dept. of Parks and Tourism

First posted on 05-08-2009

In recognition of the positive economic, social, and cultural impact of the travel and tourism industry, Arkansas will celebrate May 9 - 17 as Tourism Week. Monday, May 11, will be celebrated as Arkansas Tourist Appreciation Day in honor of the travelers who actually make that impact happen.

In 2008, nearly 24 million visitors traveled in Arkansas, spending an estimated $5.5 billion, which generated $290 million in state taxes and $105 million in local taxes.
Across the state, communities are planning to salute Tourism Week in a variety of ways. Following is a list of places and activities planned:

Batesville
The Ozark Gateway Region will celebrate Tourism Week on Monday, May 11, from 1:30 until 6:00 p.m. at Main Street Batesville Pocket Park. Richard Davies, Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism’s executive director, will be the featured speaker at 1:30 p.m. along with Batesville Mayor Rick Elumbaugh and Independence County Judge Bill Hicks. Musical entertainment will be provided during the afternoon and booths featuring crafts and tourism attractions from across the region will be displayed. Booths featuring Arkansaw Traveler Candy and other food items, as well as small putt golf, will be offered. Local KWOZ Arkansas 103 radio station will be broadcasting with a live remote. For more information, contact Cathy Drew, Ozark Gateway Region director, at 800-264-0316 or e-mail .

Bentonville
Arkansas Tourist Appreciation Day will be observed on Monday, May 11, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Refreshments will be served and one lucky visitor will take home a gift basket. Everyone is invited to pick up a 2009 Vacation Planning Kit. Arkansas lapel pins and bumper stickers will also be given out. For more information, contact Phyllis Spradlin, Bentonville Welcome Center manager, at 479-855-3111.

Clarendon
The City of Clarendon is celebrating Tourism Week with a Family Fun Day on Friday, May 16. The day begins with a Fishing Derby from 7 a.m. until 9 a.m. Games and activities for kids will be offered from 9:30 a.m. until noon. Cokes, hot dogs, and chips will be sold throughout the morning.

Clarksville
Clarksville is recognizing Tourism Week by asking businesses to put tourism-related messages on their marquees and to have employees wear red to show the strength of the industry. KARV Radio and local news outlets are featuring stories on the importance of tourism to the area.

Fayetteville
Fayetteville is celebrating Tourism Week by hosting a “Discover Fayetteville” photo scavenger hunt. Participants can pick up clues starting May 7 from the Fayetteville Visitors Center, Experience Fayetteville Facebook group, or the Fayetteville, AR Facebook fan page. Participants must turn in photographs of the correct answers to 10 of the 20 total clues by May 14 to be entered in a drawing for a gift basket. Prizes will also be awarded for best and funniest photographs. Local NBC affiliate KNWA will be featuring local attractions on their broadcasts each morning May 11-15. For more information, contact Allyson Twiggs Dyer with the Fayetteville Visitors Bureau at 479-521-5776.

Fort Smith
Fort Smith is celebrating Tourism Week on Thursday, May 14, from 5 p.m.–9 p.m. with the 2nd Annual Fort Smith Showcase and the 6th Annual R.O.S.E. (Recognition of Outstanding Service Excellence) Awards program. The event brings local area hospitality and tourism businesses together in one place to exhibit their products and services in a showcase format with an hors d’oeuvres reception and entertainment. The five R.O.S.E. award categories include: Hometown Hospitality Hero, Hospitality Person, Hospitality Partner, Corporate Partner, and Guest Service Provider. For more information, contact Ramona Moon, Fort Smith Convention & Visitors Bureau; 479-459-6304.

Harrison
The Harrison Welcome Center will celebrate Tourist Appreciation Day on Monday, May 11. Local, state, and city officials will be in attendance. Mayor Pat Moles will proclaim the week as Harrison Tourism Week by reading a proclamation at 11 a.m. Radio stations will be broadcasting live remotes throughout the morning and early afternoon, and the Harrison Daily Times will be in attendance. Refreshments will be served, beginning at 8 a.m. with doughnuts, cookies, and coffee. Sandwiches, chicken tenders, hot dogs, and vegetable and fruit trays will follow, along with bottled water and soft drinks. Lucky tourists will receive giveaways. For more information, contact Norma Sims, Harrison Welcome Center manager, at 870-741-3343.

Mammoth Spring
The Mammoth Spring Welcome Center will celebrate Tourism Week on Saturday, May 16, with live music, snacks and beverages, snow cones, ice cream, and balloons. The Mayor will be in attendance. Door prizes will be given away, including a chance to win the grand prize – a camping package featuring a Wenger nine-person family dome tent, four camping chairs, and three Ozark Trail sleeping bags. For more information, contact Adam Davis, Mammoth Spring Welcome Center manager, at 870-625-7364.

Ozark
The City of Ozark will celebrate Tourist Appreciation Day on Monday, May 11, from 10 a.m. – noon at the Ozark Tourist Information Center. The city’s Advertising & Promotion commissioners will attend the reading of a mayoral proclamation at 10:30 a.m. Refreshments will be provided, and one lucky visitor will win a gift. For more information, call 479-667-2525.

Siloam Springs
The Siloam Springs Welcome Center will be celebrating Tourism Week all week, giving out Little Debbie snacks, bottled water, Allen’s Shoestring Potatoes, Cavender’s Greek seasoning packets, and Day Spring Day Planners. On Thursday, May 14, hot dogs will be served compliments of Petit Jean Meats and Price Cutter Grocery. On Friday, May 15, Arvest Bank will grill chicken furnished by Simmons, and serve baked beans and Martha Harp rolls. For more information, contact Betty Ross, Siloam Springs Welcome Center manager at 479-524-4445.

Van Buren & Fort Smith
The Arkansas Welcome Center at Van Buren will be celebrating throughout Tourism Week by treating tourists with Arkansas-made products. On Thursday, May 14, at 10:30 a.m., the Fort Smith and Van Buren Advertising & Promotion Commissions will be serving refreshments and giving away a gift basket. Both city mayors will make official proclamations declaring Tourism Week in the area. For more information, contact Barbara Wilson, Van Buren/Fort Smith Welcome Center manager, at 479-474-9512.

For general information on Tourism Week, contact Kristine Puckett, Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, 1 Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201. 501-682-5240.

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