The 2026 Arkansas Governor’s Conference on Tourism and Outdoor Recreation kicked off Sunday evening in Little Rock, drawing a sold-out crowd of tourism professionals, outdoor recreation leaders, and economic development partners from across the state.
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and First Gentleman Bryan Sanders spoke Monday during the conference, highlighting Arkansas’ booming tourism industry and expanding outdoor initiatives.
Governor Sanders announced that Arkansas welcomed 52 million visitors last year, generating more than $10 billion in economic impact. She credited tourism leaders, park officials, and community partners for driving that success.
“This industry is thriving because of the people in this room,” the Governor said. “We love telling Arkansas’ success story across the country and inviting others to discover what makes our state so special.”
The First Gentleman, who has visited all 52 Arkansas State Parks as part of the “52 Club,” shared exciting news that Blanchard Springs Caverns will soon become Arkansas’ 53rd State Park. He said the transition will enhance amenities, improve visitor experiences, and boost economic growth in the Mountain View region.
Bryan Sanders also discussed the expand outdoor education programs. The state’s outdoor education pilot program has grown from 15 schools last year to approximately 60 schools this year, with a goal of reaching 150 schools next year.
Educators across Arkansas have reported improved focus, stronger community engagement, and higher participation rates since limiting classroom screen time.
Joining the Governor during the conference was Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism Secretary Shea Lewis, who called the opening day “unbelievable” and praised the energy inside the sold-out event.
“We’ve got over 500 people here celebrating the success of Arkansas tourism across the Natural State,” Lewis said during an Open Mic interview.
Lewis highlighted key tourism trends, noting that approximately 80 percent of visitors drive into Arkansas, while 20 percent arrive by air. He also emphasized the importance of in-state tourism, saying roughly half of Arkansans are choosing to explore destinations within their own state.
Outdoor recreation continues to drive that growth. Lewis pointed to Arkansas’ nationally recognized mountain biking scene — including Bentonville’s reputation as the “Mountain Bike Capital of the World” — and expanding trail systems statewide. He also confirmed progress on a downhill mountain bike park at Queen Wilhelmina State Park in Mena, positioning South Arkansas as an emerging global destination.
The conference, proudly presented by Oaklawn, runs through February 24 and includes educational sessions on tourism trends, destination marketing, workforce development, and the economics of outdoor recreation. The event concludes Tuesday night with the prestigious Henry Awards Banquet and Arkansas Tourism Hall of Fame inductions.
New for 2026, the conference is co-locating with the Arkansas Outdoor Economy Summit, further strengthening collaboration between tourism and outdoor industry leaders statewide.
Listen to Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and First Gentleman Bryan Sanders join Open Mic with Bob Connell at the 2026 Arkansas Governor’s Conference on Tourism and Outdoor Recreation — click the video below to hear their full remarks on Arkansas’ record tourism growth and outdoor expansion.
Listen to Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism Secretary Shea Lewis join Open Mic with Bob Connell at the 2026 Arkansas Governor’s Conference on Tourism and Outdoor Recreation — click the video below to hear his insights on Arkansas’ booming tourism industry and outdoor economy growth.
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