Arkansas Tourism Stats
State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission Meeting Summary: May 2010
The following is a synopsis of the Arkansas State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission meeting held May 20, 2010,
at the
Star City Civic Center
. For questions regarding this report, please contact Gloria Robins, executive assistant, at 501-682-7614.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Executive Director Richard W. Davies informed the Commission that a letter had been sent to Ouachita National Forest Supervisor Norman Wagoner, per the Commissioners’ request at the April SPRTC meeting. The letter requests that Forest Supervisor Wagoner and his staff work with interested volunteer trail groups to possibly open more ATV trails within the Wolf Pen Gap area. Mr. Wagoner had responded that he would be glad to talk to interested groups. For more information, contact Gloria Robins at 501-682-7614.
STATE PARKS DIVISION
The Commissioners approved the Arkansas State Parks summer television and radio advertisements. For more information, contact Joe Jacobs at 501-682-6923.
The Commissioners approved a recommendation from the State Parks Committee to accept the federal America the Beautiful Access Pass or Golden Access Pass for qualifying campers to receive discounted camping fees at Arkansas State Parks. The program will be provided as a temporary special promotion and evaluated for a year. This change will expand the current camping disability program to include parents and caregivers of children who are disabled. For more information, contact Greg Butts at 501-682-7743.
State Parks Director Greg Butts informed the Commission that the division received a request from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for tracking the endangered Pallid Sturgeon. The USFWS has been given permission to place Stationary Telemetry Receivers (STRs) at the Delta Heritage Trail on the Benzal and Yaropin Bridges. For more information, contact Greg Butts at 501-682-7743.
The Commission approved a proposed interpretive kiosk to be located at Withrow Springs State Park. Audubon Arkansas approached the park on behalf of a family who wishes to fund an educational kiosk in memory of their son along War Eagle Creek.
Joe Jacobs and Joan Ellison gave a presentation on the new DeGray Lake Resort State Park website. The website address is www.DeGray.com.
Butts reported that the Fiscal Year 2011 Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council grants have been awarded. A total of $15,287,986 was awarded, with Arkansas State Parks projects receiving a total of $5 million. For more information, contact Stan Graves at 501-682-1633.
TOURISM DIVISION
Tourism Director Joe David Rice introduced Michael Erdman with Longwoods International. Erdman gave an overview of the recent focus groups held in Springfield, MO; Tulsa, OK; and Dallas, TX. Erdman reported that participants gave very positive ratings for the current media campaign. For more information, contact Joe David Rice at 501-682-1088.
Research and Information Services Manager Joanne Hinson reported that visitation for April at Arkansas Welcome Centers was up 13.1% compared to April 2009. Visitation for January through April 2010 is up 11.4% compared to the same period last year. For more information, contact Joanne Hinson at 501-324-1520.
Commissioners approved the 2010/2011 Fall/Winter Marketing Plan presented by Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods. For more information, contact Dena Woerner at 501-682-7606.
Tourism Development Manager Donna Perrin informed the Commission that the state Tourism Rally held in the State Capitol rotunda on May 11 was quite successful. Perrin also reported that May 26 is the deadline for state regional tourism associations to request matching grant funds. For more information, contact Donna Perrin at 501-682-1926.
Aristotle presented website statistics for April 2010, which included a 10% increase in visitation over the same period in 2009. A total of 103,402 direct links to tourism partners from Arkansas.com were also reported for April. The website placed number seven during April among all 50 tourism sites and number one amid the contiguous state sites.
ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF PARKS & TOURISM
1 Capitol Mall - Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
(501) 682-7777 (V/TT)