Jonesboro sets all-time hotel tax collection record in 2023
by January 24, 2024 8:40 am 702 views
Jonesboro set an all-time hotel tax collection record in 2023. It can be attributed to the city’s economy and Jonesboro Advertising and Promotions’ effort to promote the city to visitors and tourism, Mayor Harold Copenhaver said.
Jonesboro hotels accounted for $39.2 million in revenue for the calendar year, a nearly 8% increase when compared to 2022. The data comes from the STR or “Star” report. The STR Report is an analytical tool created by Smith Travel Resources to compile data for the hotel industry. Jonesboro currently has 28 active hotels that have a total of 2,380 hotel rooms.
Copenhaver said the increase in hotel revenue “reinforces what we know that Jonesboro is the regional hub that attracts visitors for business, healthcare, and entertainment.”
“This is attributable to the respective leaders in those respective areas, but also the work of our A&P Commission. I want to thank the A&P Commission and the host of other non-profit organizations that hold events across the city annually to boost our economy. I would also like to thank the new executive director, Craig Rickert, who will lead the A&P into the future that is very promising for Jonesboro.”
Rickert called the news encouraging for Jonesboro and said the sales tax revenue generated by those visitors last year is worth over $1.3 million to the city.
“Inventory rose over 9%,” Rickert said. “We added two hotels in Jonesboro in 2023. Two more are under construction so we expect those revenues to rise again in 2024.”
Rickert said the April eclipse and other events and conventions coming to Jonesboro this year will lead to added hotel stays. The eclipse is April 8. City and state officials estimate there will be thousands of travelers in Jonesboro to view the eclipse. Jonesboro is in the zone of totality, which offers eclipse watchers the opportunity to see a true, total eclipse.
It’s estimated that up to 125,000 visitors could travel to parts of Northeast Arkansas to view the solar phenomenon.
“Preparations are well underway for the eclipse,” Rickert said. “We expect record crowds in Jonesboro not just that day, but the entire week.”
The Jonesboro Open Pro Disc Golf tournament, the Harlem Globetrotters, an Oliver Anthony concert, The Oasis Arts and Eats Festival, and the Jonesboro Business Association Crawfish Festival are bookending the eclipse. Not to mention baseball, soccer, and trapshooting events in the days following the eclipse.
“It’s not hard to foresee that week being one of the biggest in Jonesboro history,” Rickert said. “We all need to prepare to put our best foot forward and show our guests our trademark hospitality.”