Arkansas Tourism Ticker: 2% tourism tax revenue down almost 3% through June
by October 30, 2025 7:01 pm 354 views
Arkansas’ 2% tourism tax revenue declined almost 3% in the first six months of 2025 compared with the same period in 2024. Hospitality tax revenue in surveyed cities is also down through June.
The 2% tourism tax revenue between January and June was $13.122 million, down 2.9% compared with the $13.513 million in the same period of 2024. The 2025 numbers are compared against a healthy 2024 in which the tourism tax was up 4.77% compared with 2023 collections.
Despite the 2% revenue being down through August, August 2025 set a monthly record for revenue at $2.857 million. The previous monthly record was set in June 2024 with $2.839 million.
January-June hospitality tax collections among 17 cities surveyed for the Arkansas Tourism Ticker were down 1.87% compared with the same period in 2024.
The Arkansas Tourism Ticker is managed by Talk Business & Politics, and sponsored by the Arkansas Hospitality Association and the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism. The ticker uses the following three measurements to review the health of the state’s tourism industry.
• Hospitality tax collections – prepared food tax and lodging tax – of 17 Arkansas cities (cities listed below along with collections for each city);
• Tourism sector employment numbers as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; and
• Collections of Arkansas’ 2% statewide tourism tax.
“Even with slight declines in tax collections, we’re encouraged to see employment in the industry continue to rise, a clear indicator that tourism remains a vital and healthy part of our state’s economy,” noted a statement from the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. “Data from our digital campaigns also show year-over-year increases in hotel bookings and revenue that can be directly attributed to our marketing efforts. The Natural State continues to draw visitors from across the country who are discovering our unmatched outdoor recreation, vibrant communities and authentic hospitality. We remain focused on sustaining that momentum through strategic marketing, partnerships and continued investment in the experiences that make Arkansas a premier travel destination year-round.”
Results for the January-June 2025 Tourism Ticker report are:
• 1.87% decline
Hospitality tax revenue in January-June 2025 among 17 Arkansas cities reviewed for the Arkansas Tourism Ticker compared with the same period in 2024
• 2.9% decrease
Collections of Arkansas’ 2% statewide tourism tax in January-June 2025 compared with the same period in 2024
• 1.3% increase
Gain in the monthly average of Arkansas’ tourism industry jobs in January-June 2025 compared with the same period in 2024
Restaurant (prepared food tax) tax collections among the 17 cities totaled $26.647 million in January-June 2025, down 1.4% compared with the $27.035 million in the same period of 2024. Hotel tax collections among the 17 cities totaled $8.667 million in January-June 2025, down 3.2% compared with the $8.953 million in the same period of 2024.
Link here for a PDF of the complete January-June 2025 Arkansas Tourism Ticker.