Recently, Gov. Sarah Sanders said, "The 2025 Economic Impact Report makes it clear that tourism and outdoor recreation are not just important to Arkansas' economy--they are foundational drivers of growth, investment, and community strength across our state."
Given her evaluation of tourism, it seems reasonable to ask her to tell us more about what she counts as tourism and tourists. Are there different types of tourism? From what is presented in the report on tourism, one must be from another state or country to be counted as an Arkansas tourist. Thus, a visitor to Hot Springs from Shreveport is a tourist but someone driving down from Pocahontas does not count as a tourist? One can raise similar questions about those here for medical care or to attend a family event like a funeral. If a person from China visits Arkansas to do business at Walmart and while there spends several hours at Crystal Bridges, are they only counted as business tourists?
Yes, Governor Sanders, money spent in some fashion on outdoor recreation is important to our economy, but that is only a fraction of what Arkansas residents spend on outdoor recreation. One final question might be: How does one know that...
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