Scorching Springs tourism spending up 138% since 2020

Hot Springs tourists break records. The hospitality tax for restaurants, hotels and Airbnbs has increased 138 percent from 2020.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – National parks are seeing record numbers of visitors this summer and Arkansas Parks are no exception.

Hot Springs National Park is back in business. Tourists from all over the world travel to the spa town.

“There are people in the form of Poland, Britain, Canada and Mexico,” said Bill Solleder.

Solleder is Visit Hot Springs’ Marketing Director. He said the surge in tourism this summer was a little unexpected.

“We see enormous crowds in Hot Springs and in Hot Springs National Park,” he said.

Indeed, tourists are breaking records. The accommodation tax for restaurants, hotels and Air BnBs has increased by 138 percent compared to 2020. And compared to 2019 by more than 9 percent … that was the previous record year.

“Hotels are as high up as restaurants at the moment, but yes, it’s an amazing number,” said Sollefer.

Melissa Whitfield of Arkansas State Parks said tourism ranks high in parks like Pinnacle Mountain and Petit Jean by judging the crowds alone.

“People just enjoy nature. They realize it’s a good place to be safe, ”she said.

If you’re planning on camping, she recommends planning ahead as some parks fill up quickly.

“Don’t wait until Friday to go on a Saturday camping trip,” said Whitfield.

Solleder said that Hot Springs is almost at full capacity every weekend.

“A lot of people travel spontaneously. So, on Wednesday or Thursday people decide that we do a road trip,” said Solleder.