Tourism revenues held steady in Arkansas in 2009, according to figures recently released during the 36th Annual Governor’s Conference on Tourism. Included in $5.3 billion reportedly spent statewide in 2009 is more than $24.8 million generated by tourism in Ouachita County.

Tourism is the second largest industry in the state and employs more than 58,400 people, the news release stated. The same report had 22.8 million-plus travelers visiting the state in 2009.

The annual report showed Arkansas’ South total travel expenditures were $198,421,548. Just shy of 2,000 people a...