08-03-2025
Little Rock highlights positive economic impact of tourism in recent years
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Little Rock officials say visitors have left a positive impact on businesses in the capital city.
There are a thousand places tourists choose for vacation and travel, but Little Rock became a destination for many last year thanks to the city's 2023 Downtown Master Plan according to Libby Doss Lloyd with the Little Rock Convention and Business Bureau.
'To have $1.5 billion in a year in visitors spending and have that A&P tax collection up to $19 million, we definitely have been coming out of that pandemic over the last five years,' Lloyd said.
Master plan for downtown Little Rock approved by city board of directors, needs funding
Lloyd said the Statehouse Convention Center, the Robinson Center and the River Market all host some of the biggest events in the city, allocating over $50 million in direct spending.
'2024 was the second year of the implementation of that 10-year plan so we're really working hard to elevate tourism in the capital city,' Lloyd said.
Some visitors chose not to leave the workforce getting in on this uptick with over 8,000 direct jobs.
Desirae Jones, a manager at Gus's Fried Chicken, said she's run across many visitors from different states.
'Even though we're not a big city, we don't really have much going on, just for them to come and experience being down here and seeing what our city and our state is like, I feel like that's pretty awesome,' Jones said.
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She said she's seen growth in the city, and says she likes how there's always something for visitors to do.
'Hang out downtown, go to Brewski's or La Chingada across the street, or maybe even us for good chicken or a good time,' Jones added.
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