Estimating Potential Visitorship and Expenditures from the
Proposed Whitewater Park near Siloam Springs

Center for Business and Economic Research
Sam M. Walton College of Business
1 University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701-1201
(479) 575-4151
Contacts: Kathy Deck, Director
Mervin Jebaraj, Assistant Director
May 2016

 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The proposed whitewater and mountain biking park at the old Lake Frances dam site will prove
to be an important recreational amenity for the City of Siloam Springs and the Northwest
Arkansas region. While it is not possible to effectively calculate the true value of the park as a
regional amenity, this study provides estimates of the potential numbers of visitors to the park
and their associated spending in Siloam Springs. These numbers will allow leaders at the City of
Siloam Springs and the Walton Family Foundation to make informed decisions about the
operations of such a park.
•

The number of likely annual visits to the proposed park is estimated at 191,280.
o 97,876 of these visits come from whitewater kayaking and mountain biking
participants in Northwest Arkansas. It is assumed that 75 percent of the pool of
Northwest Arkansas participants would each visit the park 8.1 times in a year.
o 93,404 whitewater kayaking and mountain biking participants from within the 100
mile and 200 mile radius of the park are likely to visit the park once. These visitors
represent 50 percent of the whitewater kayaking and mountain biking participants
from the 100 mile radius and 25 percent of the participants from the 200 mile
radius
o If the mountain biking features are not included in the park, the likely number of
visits would drop to 37,193.
o Under the optimistic assumption that the entire pool of potential whitewater
kayakers and mountain bikers from Northwest Arkansas visit the park 8.1 times
each and all the potential pool of whitewater kayakers and mountain bikers from
the 100 mile and 200 mile radius come to the park once, attendance would
increase to 424,314.

•

Total spending in Siloam Springs from the likely 191,280 visits is estimated at $7.45
million annually.
o $1.21 million of this spending comes from potential visitors who are residents of
other Northwest Arkansas cities, while $6.24 million is generated by potential
visitors from within the 100 mile and 200 mile radius of the park.
o The likely visitors to the park are also estimated to spend an additional $2.74
million on concessions at the park.
o Using the more optimistic assumption of visitorship, overall spending in Siloam
Springs rises to an estimated $21.25 million and estimated concession spending
rises to $6.16 million.
o If the mountain biking features are not included, likely kayaking visitor spending
in Siloam Springs would drop to $1.45 million and likely concession spending
would drop to $529,962.

ii

 •

Estimated sales tax revenues of $149,050 and hotel/motel tax revenues of $8,583 would
accrue to the City of Siloam Springs from the likely visitors.
o Only $14,905 of the sales tax revenues will be available to the City of Siloam
Springs and can be appropriated towards maintenance and operations of the park.
o If the more optimistic visitorship numbers are achieved, estimated sales tax
revenues rise to $425,006 and estimated hotel/motel taxes rise to $26,999 in the
City of Siloam Springs.
o If only kayaking visitors are considered, total estimated sales tax revenues drop to
$28,982 (with only $2,898 available for maintenance and operations of the park)
and estimated hotel/motel tax revenues drop to $1,669.

Visitorship and Spending Estimates
Category
Likely Visitor
Optimistic Visitor
Estimate
Estimate
Visits from Other Northwest Arkansas Cities
97,876
130,501
Visits from within 100 mile and 200 mile radius
93,404
293,813
Total Visits
191,280
424,314
Spending in Siloam Springs
$7,452,522
$21,250,314
Siloam Springs Sales Tax Revenues
$149,050
$425,006
Siloam Springs Hotel/Motel Tax Revenues
$8,583
$26,999
Concession Sales at the Park
$2,725,520
$6,155,757

iii

Kayaking Park
Visitors Only
19,031
18,162
37,193
$1,449,101
$28,982
$1,669
$529,962

 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Executive Summary....................................................................................................................................... ii
Table of Contents ......................................................................................................................................... iv
List of Tables ................................................................................................................................................. v
List of Figures ................................................................................................................................................ v
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 1
Literature Review .......................................................................................................................................... 2
Results of the Siloam SPrings Whitewater and Mountain Biking Park Potential Visitor Survey .................. 4
Estimating Visitorship at the Proposed Whitewater and Mountain Biking Park .......................................... 8
Mountain Biking ...................................................................................................................................... 11
Whitewater Kayaking .............................................................................................................................. 11
Likely Visitor Spending Estimates ............................................................................................................... 13
Existing Tourism Capacity in Siloam Springs ............................................................................................... 16
Hotels ...................................................................................................................................................... 16
Restaurants ............................................................................................................................................. 17
Current and Potential Tax Collections in Siloam Springs ............................................................................ 19
Summary of Results .................................................................................................................................... 22
Sources ........................................................................................................................................................ 24
Appendix ..................................................................................................................................................... 25
Potential Visitor Survey Instrument........................................................................................................ 25

iv

 LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Survey Respondents by Place of Origin........................................................................................... 4
Table 2: Outside NWA Survey Respondents by Number of Visits and Overnight Stay................................. 5
Table 3: Park Amenities Preferred by Survey Respondents ......................................................................... 5
Table 4: Park Concessions Preferred by Survey Respondents ...................................................................... 5
Table 5: Survey Respondents’ Spending Patterns by Overnight Stay ........................................................... 6
Table 6: Survey Respondents' Per Person Hotel Occupancy by Overnight Stay........................................... 6
Table 7: Survey Respondents' Per Person Meals by Overnight Stay ............................................................ 7
Table 8: Survey Respondents' Other Spending Plans ................................................................................... 7
Table 9: Outdoor Activity Participation of Population Age 6+ ...................................................................... 8
Table 10: Estimated Pool of Whitewater and Mountain Biking Participants ............................................... 9
Table 11: Likely Mountain Biking Visits....................................................................................................... 11
Table 12: Likely Whitewater Kayaking Visits............................................................................................... 12
Table 13: Likely Visits to the Siloam Springs Whitewater Park ................................................................... 13
Table 14: Optimistic Scenario Visits to the Siloam Springs Whitewater Park ............................................ 13
Table 14: Concession Spending of Likely Visitors ....................................................................................... 14
Table 15: Non-Concession Spending of Potential Visitors .......................................................................... 15
Table 17: Existing Hotels and Motels in Siloam Springs.............................................................................. 17
Table 17: Hotel Room-Nights Occupied By Likely Vistors ........................................................................... 17
Table 18: Existing Restaurants in Siloam Springs ........................................................................................ 18
Table 19: Meals Eaten By Likely Vistors ...................................................................................................... 18
Table 20: Visitorship and Spending Estimates ............................................................................................ 23

LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: 100 Mile Radius and 200 Mile Radius From The Park.................................................................. 10
Figure 2: Siloam Springs Sales Tax Collections ............................................................................................ 19
Figure 3: Siloam Springs Hotel and Motel Tax Collections ......................................................................... 21

v

 INTRODUCTION
The City of Siloam Springs, in partnership with the Walton Family Foundation and other entities,
is considering plans for a new whitewater and mountain biking park. The park is expected to be
developed at the old Lake Frances dam across the state border in Oklahoma. This proposed park
will feature international race class whitewater kayaking, mountain biking trails, parking, picnic
tables, and other amenities. The city is working with the Center for Business and Economic
Research to understand the potential demand for such an amenity in Siloam Springs and the
associated spending patterns of visitors to the proposed whitewater kayaking and mountain
biking park.
While the proposed whitewater and mountain biking park will prove to be an important
recreational amenity for the City of Siloam Springs and the Northwest Arkansas region, it is not
possible to effectively calculate the true value of the park as a regional amenity. This study,
however, provides estimates of the potential numbers of visitors to the park and their associated
spending in Siloam Springs. These numbers will provide leaders at the City of Siloam Springs and
the Walton Family Foundation some insights about potential revenues that can be generated
from the operations of such a park.
This study begins with a review of visitorship and feasibility studies for other whitewater parks in
the United States and summarizes some of the results of those studies and their methodologies.
A summary of a survey of potential whitewater kayakers and mountain bikers, conducted by the
Center for Business and Economic Research in February and March 2016, is provided. The survey
was distributed among regional associations and groups related to whitewater kayaking and
mountain biking and was designed to collect important information about the spending patterns
of potential visitors. The pool of potential visitors to the park was then calculated using the
populations of the region and the proportion of the population that participate in whitewater
kayaking and mountain biking. These estimates of potential visitors and the spending patterns
from the survey results were then used to calculate the likely spending that would occur in Siloam
Springs if some of the potential pool of visitors were to visit the park. The study also compiled a
review of the existing tourism capacity in Siloam Springs, specifically hotels and restaurants,
which would be the primary recipients of the spending of likely park visitors. The spending
patterns of likely visitors were used to generate estimates of sales tax and hotel/motel tax
collections that would accrue to the City of Siloam Springs. Finally, a summary of the main results
of the study is provided.
While comparing this report with others, it is important to understand the various limitations of
carrying out such a study. The whitewater and mountain biking park is in its early stages of
development and potential visitors have varying levels of knowledge about the type of park or
its capacities for whitewater kayaking or mountain biking. Once the park actually opens, interest
in the whitewater kayaking and mountain biking facilities may differ from interest levels
expressed by survey respondents. Other similar parks that are currently in operation are also co-

 located with downtown areas of the cities that operate and can take advantage of all the
amenities that those downtowns offer. The proposed park, which is physically in Oklahoma, is
some distance away from downtown Siloam Springs, although visitors may drive through parts
of Siloam Springs to visit the park. Finally, an important caveat of this study is that calculations of
spending and tax collected in Siloam Springs are based on estimates of likely visitors. If the
number of likely visitors varies significantly from the numbers presented, the estimates of
spending and taxes collected will also vary.

LITERATURE REVIEW
In this section of the report, researchers from the Center for Business and Economic Research
identified studies that attempt to estimate visitorship and economic impact of other similar
whitewater recreation facilities. In particular, researchers highlight five particular studies that
measured visitorship and economic impact at Kelly Whitewater Park, Grand Rapids Whitewater
Project, Clear Creek Whitewater Park, the Oklahoma City Whitewater Park, and the
Chattahoochee River Restoration.
A 2012 study of Kelly Whitewater Park in Cascade, Idaho by the University of Idaho Extension
calculated the economic impact of the Whitewater Park in 2011 during the park’s second year of
operation. As the park was an ongoing concern, the study estimated the size of visitorship by
counting the number of cars entering the park and combining that information with survey data
about the average party size. Using this methodology and input from park staff, the study
estimated that the Kelly Whitewater Park had around 40,000 unique daily visitors and 37.5
percent of them were visitors to the county. These visitors to the county produced an economic
impact of approximately $600,000 with a tax impact of around $84,000 equally divided over state
and federal receipts.
In the 2014, the Anderson Economic Group conducted a study to estimate the economic benefits
of the Grand Rapids Whitewater Project, which would engage in restoration of the Grand River
in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The restoration project was intended to enhance fishing, whitewater
kayaking, and other boating and shore based recreation uses of the Grand River and its banks.
The study estimated that the river restoration efforts would generate between 232,434 and
538,313 new visitor days through all these activities for the city of Grand Rapids each year. A
variety of different methods were used in the study to estimate the overall visitorship, but in
particular, the Anderson Economic Group estimated the visitorship from whitewater boating by
extrapolating from whitewater boating visitorship at similar facilities in cities of a similar size.
Using the overall visitorship numbers and estimates on spending, study estimates that the Grand
River restoration project will generate between $15.9 million and $19.1 million per year.
Status Consulting evaluated the economic impact of the Clear Creek Whitewater Park in Golden,
Colorado in 2000. The study estimated visitorship from non-event days at 13,170 user days by
getting estimates from park staff and estimating users based on the flow level. In addition,
2

 attendance data collected from event organizers put the event visitorship at 510 user days. This
combined visitorship was estimated to generate revenues of $913,545 to $1.15 million per year
based on study estimates of expenditures between $67 and $81 per person.
The economic and revenue impacts of the Whitewater Park proposed in Oklahoma City were
estimated by Applied Economics in 2009. The study estimated the overall number of visitors and
economic impact that will be generated by the project, which in addition to the whitewater park,
will include on-site retail, restaurants and conference facilities. Based on an overall visitorship
estimate of 230,000 to 260,000 people per year and an out-of-region visitorship estimate of
60,000 people per year, the study estimated an annual economic impact from visitors of $13.8
million. Both the operations of the entire whitewater park facility and visitor spending is
estimated to generate $1.1 million in local taxes and $1.1 million in state taxes.
Daniels and Lazzara assessed the potential market and economic impact of the Chattahoochee
River Restoration in Columbus Georgia and Phenix City, Alabama. The study estimated that the
average visitorship to the park would be between 60,000 and 100,000 patrons annually. These
figures were calculated by using estimates of recreational and whitewater kayaking participants
from the annual Outdoor Industry Association Participants Survey. The survey provides a
percentage of the national and regional populations that participate in these kayaking facilities.
Using this percentage and populations within certain distance rings from the Chattahoochee
River Restoration, this study was able to estimate the possible number of annual patrons. These
visitorship numbers were combined with the Georgia Department of Tourism visitor expenditure
estimates to calculate the overall visitor impact at between $4.2 million and $7.0 million.
In this study, researchers from the Center for Business and Economic Research estimate possible
visitorship at the Siloam Springs whitewater and mountain biking park following a similar
methodology as the Chattahoochee River Restoration study cited above. The estimates of visitor
spending come from a survey of interested kayakers and mountain bikers who were surveyed by
the Center for Business and Economic Research in February and March 2016. The results of that
survey are presented in the next section.

3

 RESULTS OF THE SILOAM SPRINGS WHITEWATER AND MOUNTAIN
BIKING PARK POTENTIAL VISITOR SURVEY
Identifying the spending patterns of potential visitors to the proposed whitewater and mountain
biking park in Siloam Springs is a key focus of this study. Estimating the spending of these visitors
at the proposed facility is achieved though the collection of primary data in the form of survey
responses. Researchers from the Center for Business and Economic Research developed a survey
instrument that was disseminated to various regional associations of whitewater kayaking and
mountain biking enthusiasts and competitors. The survey results provide researchers with
important insights into the likely frequency of visits, the spending that would occur within Siloam
Springs, and the lodging and meal plans of visitors. The data collected from this survey, a copy of
which can be found in the appendix, allow researchers to extrapolate the spending of all potential
visitors to the proposed whitewater and mountain biking facility. In this section of the report, a
brief summary of the survey results is provided.
93 surveys, representing 303 people, were completed. The vast majority of survey respondents
who expressed interest in the proposed facility come from within the state of Arkansas. 3.6
percent of the total respondents are from Siloam Springs and 62.4 percent of the respondents
are from cities in Arkansas outside of Siloam Springs. The next largest contingent of survey
respondents come from Oklahoma residents, with 20.8 percent, while responses from Missouri
and Texas follow with 5.6 percent and 4.6 percent respectively.
TABLE 1: SURVEY RESPONDENTS BY PLACE OF ORIGIN

Survey Respondents by Place of Origin
Siloam Springs, Arkansas
3.6%
Arkansas (excluding Siloam Springs)
62.4%
Oklahoma
20.8%
Missouri
5.6%
Texas
4.6%
Other State
3.0%
Nearly 48 percent of the survey respondents from outside Northwest Arkansas have no plans to
stay in Siloam Springs or Northwest Arkansas after participating in whitewater kayaking or
mountain biking at the proposed facility. Just over 39 percent of the respondents expect to stay
in Siloam Springs after visiting the proposed development, and nearly 13 percent of the
respondents plan on staying in another Northwest Arkansas city. Meanwhile, respondents from
the Northwest Arkansas region reported that they would visit the park an average of 8.1 times in
a year.

4

 TABLE 2: OUTSIDE NWA SURVEY RESPONDENTS BY NUMBER OF VISITS AND OVERNIGHT STAY

Outside NWA Survey Respondents by Number of Visits and Overnight Stay
Overnight Plans
Percent
Not Staying Overnight
47.9%
Staying in Siloam Springs
39.4%
Staying in Other NWA City
12.8%
The overwhelming majority, 96.6 percent of respondents, express interest in the kayaking
amenities at the proposed whitewater park in Siloam Springs. Researchers at the Center for
Business and Economic Research would like to note that the survey was disseminated most
widely among kayaking enthusiasts, which helps explain this overwhelming preference. 56.3
percent of the respondents are interested in mountain biking trails and 55.2 percent are
interested in hiking trails at the proposed facility. 23.0 percent of the survey respondents express
interest in disc golf amenities.
TABLE 3: PARK AMENITIES PREFERRED BY SURVEY RESPONDENTS

Park Amenities Preferred by Survey Respondents
Kayaking
96.6%
Mountain Biking
56.3%
Disc Golf
23.0%
Hiking Trails
55.2%
69.0 percent of the respondents prefer access to snacks and beverages at the proposed park
while 57.5 percent express an interest in using the parking facility. 49.4 percent of the
respondents are interested in meals. 16.1 percent are interested in renting mountain bikes and
related equipment, while 26.4 percent of the respondents are interested in renting kayaks and
related equipment.
TABLE 4: PARK CONCESSIONS PREFERRED BY SURVEY RESPONDENTS

Park Concessions Preferred by Survey Respondents
Snacks and Beverages
69.0%
Meals
49.4%
Rent Kayaks/Equipment
26.4%
Rent Mountain Bikes/Equipment
16.1%
Parking
57.5%
Data collected from survey respondents provide researchers with per person spending estimates
for the visitors to the proposed park in Siloam Springs. The Northwest Arkansas residents report
that they would spend an average of $13.63 on concessions at the park and $12.36 elsewhere in
5

 Siloam Springs during each of their visits. The visitors from outside Northwest Arkansas who did
not plan to stay overnight respond that they would spend an average $8.99 on concessions at
the park and $13.56 elsewhere in Siloam Springs during each of their visits. The respondents who
planned to stay overnight in Siloam Springs report that they would spend an average $23.44 on
concessions at the park and $145.20 elsewhere in Siloam Springs. Finally, the respondents who
planned to stay overnight in another Northwest Arkansas city expect that they would spend an
average $10.71 on concessions at the park, $25.00 elsewhere in Siloam Springs and $45.83 in
another Northwest Arkansas city. These numbers provide researchers with estimates on how
much spending would likely occur within the park, providing revenues to the city and concession
operators, and how much related spending would likely occur from visitors within Siloam Springs,
contributing to sales and hotel/motel taxes for the city.
TABLE 5: SURVEY RESPONDENTS’ SPENDING PATTERNS BY OVERNIGHT STAY

Survey Respondents’ Per Person Spending Patterns by Overnight Stay Plans
Overnight Plans
Concessions
Spending in Siloam
Spending
Spending
Springs
Elsewhere in
NWA
NWA Residents
$13.63
$12.36
Not Staying Overnight
$8.99
$13.56
Staying in Siloam Springs
$23.44
$145.20
Staying in Other NWA City
$10.71
$25.00
$45.83
Based on responses to the survey, researchers from the Center for Business and Economic
Research estimate that, on average, each visitor from outside Northwest Arkansas who plans to
stay in Siloam Springs would occupy 0.32 rooms for 0.35 nights per person. These respondents
would also consume 5.91 meals on average between breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Respondents
who plan to stay in another Northwest Arkansas city would occupy 0.08 rooms for 0.13 nights.
These respondents would consume a total of 4.54 meals in Northwest Arkansas during their
stays.
TABLE 6: SURVEY RESPONDENTS' PER PERSON HOTEL OCCUPANCY BY OVERNIGHT STAY

Survey Respondents' Per Person Hotel Occupancy by Overnight Stay
Overnight Plans
Rooms
Nights
Staying in Siloam Springs
0.32
0.35
Staying in Other NWA City
0.08
0.13

6

 TABLE 7: SURVEY RESPONDENTS' PER PERSON MEALS BY OVERNIGHT STAY

Survey Respondents' Per Person Meals by Overnight Stay
Overnight Plans
Breakfast Lunch Dinner Total
Staying in Siloam Springs
1.68
1.65
2.58
5.91
Staying in Other NWA City
1.08
1.50
1.96
4.54
Respondents to the surveys from outside Northwest Arkansas also provide information about
the plans of their parties during their visit. The information derived from the surveys about the
plans of visitors is provided by overnight stay plans in either Siloam Springs or other Northwest
Arkansas cities. All the respondents in both cohorts expect to purchase fuel during their stays.
71.4 percent of the respondents who plan to stay in Siloam Springs report that they are likely to
purchase groceries, 47.6 percent report that they are likely to purchase packaged liquor, and 42.9
percent report that they are likely to go to a bar in Siloam Springs. Among the respondents who
plan to stay in other Northwest Arkansas cities, 45.5 percent report that they are likely to
purchase packaged liquor while 36.4 percent report that they are likely to go to a bar in another
Northwest Arkansas city.
TABLE 8: SURVEY RESPONDENTS' OTHER SPENDING PLANS

Survey Respondents' Other Spending Plans
Overnight Plans
Staying in Siloam
Staying in Other NWA
Springs
City
Purchase Fuel
100.0%
100.0%
Retail Shopping
38.1%
27.3%
Buy Groceries
71.4%
18.2%
Purchase Packaged Liquor
47.6%
45.5%
Rent a Vehicle
0.0%
0.0%
Use a Taxi
0.0%
0.0%
See a Movie
14.3%
0.0%
Go to a Bar
42.9%
36.4%

7

 ESTIMATING VISITORSHIP AT THE PROPOSED WHITEWATER AND
MOUNTAIN BIKING PARK
Estimating the total number of visitors to the proposed whitewater and mountain biking park is
an important component of measuring the revenues generated by the proposed facility. The
hypothetical nature of the proposed amenity makes estimating attendance a challenging
endeavor. However, as discussed in the literature review section and following work done in
other studies, researchers from the Center for Business and Economic Research estimate the
number of visitors by using two primary sources: the 2014 Outdoor Participation Report and the
population summary of the surrounding region compiled by ESRI.
The 2014 Outdoor Participation Report is an annual study compiled by The Outdoor Foundation,
a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit group that was established by the Outdoor Industry Association.
Interviews carried out with a national sample of individuals and households with more than one
million members are used in the compilation of the annual study. The study reports the outdoor
participation rates of individuals for a broad spectrum of activities that include mountain biking,
camping, fishing, kayaking, hunting, skiing, and others. Of particular interest to the proposed park
in Siloam Springs is the participation of the general public in whitewater kayaking and mountain
biking activities.
According to the Outdoor Participation Report, as of 2013, 2.9 percent of the population over the
age of six engages in mountain biking activities and 0.7 percent of the population engages in
whitewater kayaking. The proportion of the population participating in mountain biking grew by
0.4 percentage points between 2007 and 2013 while the proportion of the population engaging
in whitewater kayaking grew by 0.3 percentage points during the same period. These numbers
provide the estimates for the proportion of the regional population that would be interested in
the proposed whitewater and mountain biking facility in Siloam Springs.
TABLE 9: OUTDOOR ACTIVITY PARTICIPATION OF POPULATION AGE 6+

Outdoor Activity Participation of Population Age 6+
Year Mountain Biking
Kayaking (Whitewater)
2007
2.5%
0.4%
2008
2.7%
0.4%
2009
2.5%
0.5%
2010
2.5%
0.6%
2011
2.4%
0.5%
2012
2.7%
0.7%
2013
2.9%
0.7%
Researchers from the Center for Business and Economic Research conservatively estimate that
the pool of potential visitors to the mountain biking and whitewater facility in Siloam Springs
8

 would come from the immediate region, i.e. Northwest Arkansas, and the populations from a
100 mile and 200 mile radius around the region.1 Using the proportion of the population that
participate in mountain biking and whitewater kayaking from the Outdoor Participation Report’s
latest numbers, researchers are able to estimate the number of potential visitors to the proposed
facility in Siloam Springs. The population statistics for the 100 mile radius and 200 mile radius are
generated by ESRI using 2009-2013 numbers, while the population estimate for Northwest
Arkansas is acquired from the U.S. Census Bureau. In the Northwest Arkansas region, there are
an estimated 12,978 mountain biking participants and 3,133 whitewater kayaking participants.
Considering the entire population in the 100 mile and 200 mile radius of the proposed facility,
there are 249,661 mountain biking participants and 60,263 whitewater kayakers, for a total of
309,924 participants. A map of the region that is within the 100 mile radius and 200 mile radius
from the proposed park is shown in Figure 1.
TABLE 10: ESTIMATED POOL OF WHITEWATER AND MOUNTAIN BIKING PARTICIPANTS

Estimated Pool of Whitewater and Mountain Biking Participants
Area
Population Over 5
Mountain Biking
Whitewater
Years 2
Participation
Kayaking
Northwest Arkansas
447,534
12,978
3,133
100 mile radius
2,216,776
64,287
15,517
200 mile radius
5,944,691
172,396
41,613
Total
8,609,001
249,661
60,263

1 The researchers recognize that there are likely to be additional visitors to the park from outside a 200 mile
radius ring. However, without good information about likely regional penetration rates, incorporating the
larger populations from those areas leads to implausibly large visitorship estimates.
2 Populations presented are not cumulative.

9

 FIGURE 1:100 MILE RADIUS AND 200 MILE RADIUS FROM THE PARK

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Source: ESRI Business Analysis

10

Based on the estimates of the overall number of mountain biking and whitewater kayaking
participants in the Northwest Arkansas region, and the 100 mile and 200 mile radius around the
facility, researchers estimate the total number of visits from the potential visitors in the area.
Using the information from the survey, researchers calculate that the average Northwest
Arkansas visitor would visit the park 8.1 times a year, while those outside of Northwest Arkansas
in the 100 mile and 200 mile radius would visit just once a year. The estimates further assume
that just 75 percent of the pool of Northwest Arkansas whitewater kayaking and mountain biking
participants would visit the park, along with 50 percent of those participants in the 100 mile
radius around the park, and just 25 percent of participants from the 200 mile radius around the
park.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
The likely visitorship estimates imply that the park would receive 78,844 visits from mountain
biking participants in the Northwest Arkansas area, and an additional 32,143 visitors from the
100 mile radius around the park and 43,099 from the 200 mile radius around the park. Of these
visits, 29,617 would stay overnight in Siloam Springs.
The visitorship estimates above assume that not all of the potential pool of visitors would come
to the proposed park. However, an optimistic scenario is also calculated where all the participants
from the potential pool visit the park. In that high visitorship case, the park would receive 105,126
annual visits from mountain bike participants in the Northwest Arkansas area, and an additional
64,287 visits from the 100 mile radius around the park and 172,396 visits from the 200 mile radius
around the park. Of these visitors, 93,162 would stay overnight in Siloam Springs.
TABLE 11: LIKELY MOUNTAIN BIKING VISITS

Likely Mountain Biking Visits
Type of Stay
Northwest
100 mile
Arkansas
radius
Northwest Arkansas Residents
78,844
Not Staying Overnight
15,388
Staying in Siloam Springs
12,652
Staying in Other NWA City
4,103
Total Visits
78,844
32,143

200 mile
radius
20,633
16,965
5,502
43,099

WHITEWATER KAYAKING
An estimated 19,037 visits a year are expected from whitewater kayaking participants in the
Northwest Arkansas area, while 7,759 whitewater kayaking participants are expected from 100
mile radius and 10,403 participants are expected from the 200 mile radius around the park. Of
these visitors, 7,149 are expected to stay overnight in Siloam Springs.
11

 Following the optimistic scenario described above in the mountain biking section, If all the
participants from the potential pool visit the park, an estimated 25,375 visits a year are expected
from whitewater participants in the Northwest Arkansas area, while 15,517 whitewater kayaking
participants are expected from 100 mile radius and 41,613 participants are expected from the
200 mile radius around the park. Of these visitors, 22,487 are expected to stay overnight in Siloam
Springs.
TABLE 12: LIKELY WHITEWATER KAYAKING VISITS

Likely Whitewater Kayaking Visits
Type of Stay
Northwest
100 mile
Arkansas
radius
Northwest Arkansas Residents
19,031
Not Staying Overnight
3,714
Staying in Siloam Springs
3,054
Staying in Other NWA City
990
Total Visits
19,031
7,759

200 mile
radius
4,980
4,095
1,328
10,403

In the likely visitorship scenario, the estimates indicate that the park can expect a total of 191,280
visits in a year from residents in Northwest Arkansas and those in the 100 mile and 200 mile
radius around the park. These visitors are non-unique since Northwest Arkansas residents who
participate in the mountain biking and whitewater kayaking activities are estimated as visiting
the park 8.1 times. In total, the visits are expected to generate a possible 36,765 stays in Siloam
Springs. 3 If the mountain biking features are not included in park, the total likely visitors would
drop to 37,193 and generate 7,149 stays in Siloam Springs.
Assuming the more optimistic scenario where all the participants from the potential pool visit
the park, the park would receive 424,314 visits in a year from residents in Northwest Arkansas
and those in the 100 mile and 200 mile radius around the park. These visitors are non-unique
since Northwest Arkansas residents who participate in the mountain biking and whitewater
kayaking activities are estimated as visiting the park 8.1 times. These visits would generate an
estimated 115,650 stays in Siloam Springs.

Stays are not equivalent to hotel room nights as they include all kinds of lodging, including staying with
friends and family, and they do not take into account party size and accommodation sharing.

3

12

 TABLE 13: LIKELY VISITS TO THE SILOAM SPRINGS WHITEWATER PARK

Likely Visits to the Siloam Springs Park
Type of Stay
Northwest
100 mile
Arkansas
radius
Northwest Arkansas Residents
97,876
Not Staying Overnight
19,102
Staying in Siloam Springs
15,706
Staying in Other NWA City
5,094
Total Visits
97,876
39,902

200 mile
radius
25,613
21,059
6,830
53,502

TABLE 14: OPTIMISTIC SCENARIO VISITS TO THE SILOAM SPRINGS WHITEWATER PARK

Optimistic Scenario Visits to the Siloam Springs Park
Type of Stay
Northwest
100 mile
Arkansas
radius
Northwest Arkansas Residents
130,501
Not Staying Overnight
38,204
Staying in Siloam Springs
31,412
Staying in Other NWA City
10,188
Total Visits
130,501
79,804

200 mile
radius
102,451
84,238
27,320
214,009

LIKELY VISITOR SPENDING ESTIMATES
The spending patterns of potential visitors to the proposed mountain biking and whitewater
kayaking park is calculated using the likely number of visitors to the park that was estimated in
the previous section and the spending patterns of visitors estimated from the results of the
surveys of potential visitors. The spending patterns of likely visitors are estimated separately for
the spending that would occur at the proposed park and the spending that would occur outside
the park in the city of Siloam Springs itself.
The concession spending estimates generated provide an estimate for potential concession
operators and the City of Siloam Springs about the likely revenue that can be generated by
concession operations at the proposed park. It is important to note that since the park is situated
in Oklahoma, no sales taxes collected would accrue to the City of Siloam Springs. If the park is
developed without concessions like kayak or mountain bike rental, it is likely that patrons will
rent from outfitters elsewhere and the sales tax dollars will accrue in those municipalities.
The likely Northwest Arkansas residents are estimated to spend $1.33 million on concessions at
the park. Visitors from within the 100 mile radius around the park are expected to spend an
additional $0.59 million, while visitors from with the 200 mile radius are expected to spend $0.80
13

 million. In total, likely concession sales are estimated to amount to $2.73 million per year. If the
mountain biking features are not included in park and only kayaking visitors are considered, the
concession sales would drop to $539,962.
In the optimistic scenario presented where all the participants from the potential pool visit the
park, Northwest Arkansas residents are estimated to spend $1.78 million on concessions at the
park. Visitors from within the 100 mile radius around the park are expected to spend an
additional $1.19 million, while visitors from with the 200 mile radius are expected to spend $3.19
million. In total, potential concession sales could amount to $6.12 million per year under these
extremely positive conditions.
TABLE 15: CONCESSION SPENDING OF LIKELY VISITORS

Concession Spending of Likely Visitors
Type of Stay
Northwest
100 mile
Arkansas
radius
NWA Residents
$1,334,046
Not Staying Overnight
$171,727
Staying in Siloam Springs
$368,151
Staying in Other NWA City
$54,555
Total
$1,334,046
$594,433

200 mile
radius
$230,259
$493,632
$73,150
$797,041

Spending outside the park in Siloam Springs is expected to occur at area restaurants, hotels,
motels, gas stations, bars, liquor stores and other amenities in the city. The Northwest Arkansas
residents who visit the park are expected to spend $1.21 million in Siloam Springs over the course
of their visits in one year. Spending from visitors to the park from the 100 mile radius is estimated
at $2.67 million and spending from visitors from the 200 mile radius is estimated at $3.58 million.
In total, spending in Siloam Springs from all likely visitors to the proposed mountain biking and
whitewater kayaking park is estimated at $7.45 million. With a 2.0 percent sales tax, the city can
expect to collect as much as $149,050 from the spending by visitors. If the mountain biking
features are not included in park, the likely visitor spending in Siloam Springs would drop to $1.45
million and generate $28,982 in sales tax collections.
These numbers increase substantially when the optimistic scenario is considered. If all the
participants from the potential pool visit the park, Northwest Arkansas residents who visit the
park are expected to spend $1.61 million in Siloam Springs over the course of their visits in one
year. Spending from all potential visitors to the park from the 100 mile radius is estimated at
$5.33 million and spending from visitors from the 200 mile radius is estimated at $14.30 million.
In total, spending in Siloam Springs from all potential visitors to the proposed mountain biking
and whitewater kayaking park would be as much as $21.25 million. With a 2.0 percent sales tax,
the city would collect as much as $425,006 from the spending by visitors.

14

 TABLE 16: NON-CONCESSION SPENDING OF POTENTIAL VISITORS

Non-Concession Spending of Potential Visitors in Siloam Springs
Type of Stay
Northwest
100 mile
200 mile
Arkansas
radius
radius
NWA Residents
$1,209,743
Not Staying Overnight
$259,023
$347,309
Staying in Siloam Springs
$2,280,525 $3,057,823
Staying in Other NWA City
$127,347
$170,752
Total
$1,209,743
$2,666,895 $3,575,883

15

 EXISTING TOURISM CAPACITY IN SILOAM SPRINGS
As the proposed whitewater and mountain biking park draws in new visitors to Siloam Springs,
the spending of these visitors would positively impact area tourism amenities such as restaurants
and hotels and motels in the city. Spending by visitors to the park from other Northwest Arkansas
cities, and visitors from within a 100 mile and 200 mile radius of the park is likely to be around
$7.45 million and under the most optimistic scenario could o be as much as $21.25 million per
year. The survey results are not detailed enough to break this spending numerically into specific
categories , but a significant portion of the expenditures by visitors would occur at restaurants,
hotels, and motels, while other retail categories like gas stations, liquor stores, and bars would
also receive spending from the visitors.
HOTELS
The potential of the City of Siloam to capture the spending of the visitors to the proposed park
depends on the existing stock of tourism amenities in the city. Working with the City of Siloam
Springs, researchers from the Center for Business and Economic Research have compiled a list of
tourism ready hotels in Siloam Springs that could expect to the capture the spending of those
who plan to stay in Siloam Springs when they visit the park. There are currently two such hotels
operating in Siloam Springs, with one additional hotel expected to begin operations in April 2016.
Taken together, these three hotels offer 205 rooms, for a total of 74,825 room-nights each year.
Estimates from the survey indicate that likely visitors to the park from within the 100 mile radius
would occupy 1,759 room-nights and visitors from within the 200 mile radius would occupy 2,359
room-nights. In total, visitors to the park can be expected to occupy 4,118 room-nights or 5.5
percent of the existing stock, if the visits are spread out evenly through the year. However, as a
lot of these visits are expected to occur when the weather is ideal for whitewater kayaking and
mountain biking, the 205 rooms in Siloam Springs may not be sufficient and visitors will stay in
another Northwest Arkansas city, taking their associated spending out of Siloam Springs as well.
In addition to these caveats, survey respondents may also stay at the hotel and casino hotel in
neighboring West Siloam Springs, Oklahoma, as they may not differentiate between the two
cities in their spending patterns, despite those hotels not being listed on the survey instrument
(by intention). However, if all the 4,118 room-nights are captured in hotels within the actual city
of Siloam Springs, the stays are estimated to generate revenues of $429,150 to the hotels and
motels in Siloam Springs, based on a $104.22 per room-night charge. Accordingly, the city could
collect as much as $8,583 in revenue via the two percent hotel and motel tax, levied on room
nights.
Under the optimistic visitorship scenario, if all the potential visitors from the 100 mile and 200
mile radius visit the park, then visitors from the 100 mile radius would occupy 3,518 room-nights
and visitors from within the 200 mile radius would occupy an addition 9,435 room-nights. In total,
all the potential visitors to the park under this high level of visitorship would occupy 12,953 room16

 nights or 17.3 percent of the existing stock, if the visits are spread out evenly through the year.
The potential revenue generated for hotels and motels from these stays would amount to $1.35
million and the city would collect $26,999 in hotel and motel taxes using the higher visitorship
estimates.
TABLE 17: EXISTING HOTELS AND MOTELS IN SILOAM SPRINGS

Existing Hotels and Motels in Siloam Springs
Name
Standard Rooms
Hampton Inn
66
Quality Inn
59
Holiday Inn Express*
80
Total
205
*Expected in April 2016
TABLE 18: HOTEL ROOM-NIGHTS OCCUPIED BY LIKELY VISTORS

Hotel Room-Nights Occupied By Likely Visitors
Type of Stay
100 mile radius 200 mile radius
Staying in Siloam Springs
1,759
2,359
Hotel/Motel Spending
$149,522
$200,485

RESTAURANTS
According to records compiled by the Center for Business for Economic Research, there were 60
restaurants operating in Siloam Springs in April 2016. 4 These restaurants are an important
tourism amenity for visitors to the proposed whitewater and mountain biking park. Results of
the survey indicate that likely visitors from the 100 mile radius around the park would consume
as many as 92,823 meals in Siloam Springs among breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In addition,
visitors from within the 200 mile radius in Siloam Springs would consume 124,461 meals among
breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Using the higher visitorship number in the optimistic scenario, if all the potential visitors from
the 100 mile and 200 mile radius visit the park, then visitors from the 100 mile radius around the
park could consume as many as 185,646 meals in Siloam Springs between breakfast, lunch, and
dinner. In addition, visitors from within the 200 mile radius in Siloam Springs could consume
497,844 meals between breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Restaurants open and close regularly. This list may not be exhaustive, but is representative of the current
restaurant tourism capacity of Siloam Springs.
4

17

 TABLE 19: EXISTING RESTAURANTS IN SILOAM SPRINGS

Existing Restaurants in Siloam Springs
28 Springs
Angelinos Italian Restaurant
Arby's 5397
Arkoma Lanes/ Community Bowl
Asian Chef
Barnetts Dairyette
Benton County Sale Barn
Restaurant
Birra Vino's Pizzeria
Braum's 222
Café On Broadway
Callahan's Steak House
Casey's General Store
Cathy's Corner
Daylight Donuts
Dickeys BBQ
Domino's Pizza
Eureka Pizza
Fatigas Sub Station
Field House Station Sunshine Store
Fratelli's Wood-Fired Pizza
Hardee's 1500502

Hawg City Grill
Hunan Village
Inn at the Springs
Jim's Razorback Pizza
Kentucky Fried Chicken
Kung Fu Egg Roll
La Hacienda de los Reyes

Sabor Latino
Short Stop Corner
Siloam Café
Sonic
Soup And Salad Buffet
Subway 10281
Subway 51934/ Mama De Luca's

La Huerta
Las Delicias Bakery
Little Caesar’s
Long John Silvers
Mama De Luca's Pizza
Mazzio's Pizza C8
McDonalds 28815
McDonald's 34663
MI Tienda Supermarket
Panaderia Bakery
Panda Express
Pizza Hut 2614
Pour Jon's
Rib Crib

Taco Bell 542
Taco Suave
Taqueria El Rancho
Taqueria Jalisco
Thai City
Thai Café
The Hog Pit
TJ'S Pizza & Chicken
Waffle House
Wendy's
Zaxbys

TABLE 20: MEALS EATEN BY LIKELY VISTORS

Meals Eaten By Likely Visitors
Type of Stay 100 mile radius 200 mile radius
Breakfast
26,386
35,380
Lunch
25,915
34,748
Dinner
40,522
54,333
Total
92,823
124,461

18

 CURRENT AND POTENTIAL TAX COLLECTIONS IN SILOAM SPRINGS
Spending from the visitors to the proposed whitewater and mountain biking park in Siloam
Springs would provide additional sales tax revenues for the City of Siloam Springs. Current sales
tax collections of two percent generated revenues of $6.72 million in 2015. On average, since
2005, sales tax revenues have grown 2.9 percent annually, although in the 2014 and 2015 the
sales tax revenues grew by 6.8 percent and 7.2 percent. The chart below shows the growth in
sales tax collections since 2005.
FIGURE 2: SILOAM SPRINGS SALES TAX COLLECTIONS

Source: City of Siloam Springs
Likely visitors to the park from other Northwest Arkansas cities are estimated to spend $1.21
million in Siloam Springs, which would generate $24,195 in annual sales tax revenues. Likely
visitors who come from within the 100 mile radius would spend an estimated $2.67 million,
generating $53,338 is sales tax revenues, while visitors from within the 200 mile radius would
spend an estimated $3.58 million and generate $71,518 in sales tax revenues for the city. In total,
likely visitors to the park would increase sales tax revenues by $149,050, or an amount equal to
2.2 percent of the 2015 sales tax collections. It is important to note that most of the two percent
sales tax collected in Siloam Springs is earmarked for special categories like capital
improvements, waste water treatment bonds, police, fire, streets, etc. Only ten percent of the
sales tax collections due to the whitewater park visitors would be available for general funds
19

 appropriations. That would imply, that of the additional $149,050 that could be collected from
park visitors, only $14,905 will be available to be appropriated towards maintenance and
operations of the park.
Using the more optimistic scenario, if all the participants from the potential pool visit the park,
visitors to the park from other Northwest Arkansas cities could spend up to $1.61 million in
Siloam Springs, which would generate $32,260 is sales tax revenues. Visitors who come from
within the 100 mile radius could spend $5.33 million, generating $106,676 is sales tax revenues,
while visitors from within the 200 mile radius could spend $14.30 million and generate $286,071
in sales tax revenues for the city. In total, using the high visitorship estimates in the optimistic
scenario, visitors to the park would to increase sales tax revenues by $425,006, or 6.3 percent of
the 2015 sales tax collections. Of this amount, only $42,501 would be available to be
appropriated towards maintenance and operations of the park.
The City of Siloam Springs has a two percent hotel and motel tax that funds parks in the city. As
the proposed whitewater and mountain biking park draws in visitors who stay in Siloam Springs
hotels and motels, the associated tax collections would increase inasmuch as current capacity is
not fully utilized. Current hotel and motel tax collections of two percent generated revenues of
$78,623 in 2015. On average, since 2005, hotel and motel tax revenues have grown 7.2 percent
annually, although in 2014 and 2015 the sales tax revenues grew by 16.7 percent and 10.9
percent, respectively. The chart below shows the growth in the hotel and motel tax collections
since 2005.

20

 FIGURE 3: SILOAM SPRINGS HOTEL AND MOTEL TAX COLLECTIONS

Source: City of Siloam Springs

In total, likely visitors to the park can be expected to occupy 4,118 room-nights or 5.5 percent of
the existing stock, if the visits are spread out evenly through the year. These stays would generate
revenues of $429,150 to the hotels and motels in Siloam Springs, based on a $104.22 per roomnight charge. The city would also collect $8,583 via the two percent hotel and motel taxes, which
represents 10.9 percent of the total 2015 hotel and motel tax collection.
Considering the optimistic scenario, if all the potential visitors from the 100 mile and 200 mile
radius visit the park, then visitors from the 100 mile radius would occupy 3,518 room-nights and
visitors from within the 200 mile radius would occupy an addition 9,435 room-nights. In total, all
the potential visitors to the park can be expected to occupy 12,953 room-nights or 17.3 percent
of the existing stock, if the visits are spread out evenly through the year. The potential revenue
generated for hotels and motels from these stays would amount to $1.35 million and the city
would collect $26,999 in hotel and motel taxes or 34.3 percent of total 2015 hotel and motel tax
collection.

21

 SUMMARY OF RESULTS
The proposed whitewater and mountain biking park will prove to be an important recreational
amenity for the City of Siloam Springs and the Northwest Arkansas region. While it is not possible
to effectively calculate the true value of the park as a regional amenity, this study provides
estimates of the potential numbers of visitors to the park and their associated spending in Siloam
Springs. These numbers will allow leaders at the City of Siloam Springs and the Walton Family
Foundation to make informed decisions about the operations of such a park. In this study, the
overall number of likely annual visits to the proposed park is estimated at 191,280. 97,876 of
these visits come from whitewater kayaking and mountain biking participants in Northwest
Arkansas. It is assumed that 75 percent of the pool of Northwest Arkansas participants would
each visit the park 8.1 times in a year. 93,404 whitewater kayaking and mountain biking
participants from within the 100 mile and 200 mile radius of the park are likely to visit the park
once. These visitors represent 50 percent of the whitewater kayaking and mountain biking
participants from the 100 mile radius and 25 percent of the participants from the 200 mile radius.
If the mountain biking features are not included in the park, the total visitors for whitewater
kayaking would be 37,193. Under an extremely optimistic scenario, if all the potential visitors
from Northwest Arkansas visited the park 8.1 times each and all the potential visitors from the
100 mile and 200 mile radius come to the park once, the overall attendance would increase to
424,314.
Overall spending in Siloam Springs from the likely 191,280 visits is estimated to generate $7.45
million annually. $1.21 million of this spending comes from likely visitors who are residents of
other Northwest Arkansas cities, while $6.24 million is generated by likely visitors from within
the 100 mile and 200 mile radius of the park. Sales tax revenues of $149,050 would accrue to the
City of Siloam Springs from these visits, of which $14,095 will be available to be appropriated
towards maintenance and operations of the park. Hotel/motel tax revenues of $8,583 would also
accrue to the City of Siloam Springs from these visits. The likely visitors to the park are also
estimated to spend $2.74 million on concessions at the park. If the mountain biking features are
not included and only kayaking visitors are considered, likely visitor spending in Siloam Springs
would drop to $1.45 million and likely concession spending would drop to $529,962. However, if
all the potential visitors from Northwest Arkansas visited the park 8.1 times each and all the
potential visitors from the 100 mile and 200 mile radius come to the park once, the overall
spending in Siloam Springs would increase to $21.25 million, sales tax revenues accrued would
rise to $425,006 (of which only $42,501 would be available to be appropriated towards
maintenance and operations of the park), hotel/motel taxes accrued would rise to $26,999, and
concessions spending would increase to $6.16 million under the most optimistic scenario..

22

 TABLE 21: VISITORSHIP AND SPENDING ESTIMATES

Visitorship and Spending Estimates
Category
Likely Visitor
Optimistic Visitor
Estimate
Estimate
Visits from Other Northwest Arkansas Cities
97,876
130,501
Visits from within 100 mile and 200 mile radius
93,404
293,813
Total Visits
191,280
424,314
Spending in Siloam Springs
$7,452,522
$21,250,314
Siloam Springs Sales Tax Revenues
$149,050
$425,006
Siloam Springs Hotel/Motel Tax Revenues
$8,583
$26,999
Concession Sales at the Park
$2,725,520
$6,155,757

23

Kayaking Park
Visitors Only
19,031
18,162
37,193
$1,449,101
$28,982
$1,669
$529,962

 SOURCES
2014 Outdoor Recreation Participation. The Outdoor Foundation, 2014
American Community Survey Population Summary. ESRI Business Analyst, 2016
Braak, Willem. 2011 Economic Impact of Kelly’s Whitewater Park in Cascade, Idaho. University
of Idaho Extension, 2012
Daniels, Michael and Lazzara, Frank. Chattahoochee River Restoration Columbus, Georgia and
Phenix City, Alabama: Market and Economic Impact Analysis. 2005
Economic and Revenue Impacts of the Proposed Oklahoma City Whitewater Park. Applied
Economics, 2009
Hagenstad, Marca et al. Preliminary Evaluation of the Beneficial Value of Waters Diverted in the
Clear Creek Whitewater Park in the City of Golden. Stratus Consulting, Inc., 2000
List of Hotels, Motels, and Restaurants. Center for Business and Economic Research, 2016
McNutt, Crystal. 2005-2015 Hotel and Motel Tax Collections. City of Siloam Springs, 2016
Watkins, Scott and Bowers, Sara. Economic Benefits of Grand Rapids Whitewater Project.
Anderson Economic Group, 2014
Williams, Kimberly. 2005-2015 Sales Tax Collections. City of Siloam Springs, 2016

24

 APPENDIX

POTENTIAL VISITOR SURVEY INSTRUMENT
The City of Siloam Springs, in partnership with the Walton Family Foundation and other entities,
is developing plans for a new whitewater kayaking and mountain biking park. The park is
expected to be developed at the old Lake Frances dam (Google Maps link: https://goo.gl/maps
/XiT7KT1e95C2 ) and will feature international race class whitewater kayaking, mountain biking
trails, parking, picnic tables, and other amenities. The city is working with the Center for
Business and Economic Research to understand the demand for such an amenity near Siloam
Springs and the associated spending patterns of visitors to the proposed whitewater kayaking
and mountain biking park.
This survey will give officials at the City of Siloam Springs an understanding of the potential
revenue generated by this proposed development and as such your responses to this survey are
very important. Please provide your best estimates for the questions regarding your spending
patterns, if you would choose to visit the proposed development.
Should you choose to participate in this survey; all information will be kept confidential to the
extent allowed by law and University policy. No personally identifying information will be used
in any publication resulting from this research. You are under no obligation to answer any
particular question, and you may cease participation at any time. This study is being conducted
under the guidelines of the Institutional Review Board at the University of Arkansas and you
should feel free to contact Iroshi Windwalker, Compliance Coordinator, (irb@uark.edu) if you
have any concerns.
If you have any questions on completing the survey, please email Mervin Jebaraj at
mjebara@uark.edu or call at 479-575-6077.
In what state do you currently reside?
In what city and county do you reside?
City
County

How likely are you to visit the proposed Siloam Springs Whitewater and Mountain Biking Park?
Very Likely Likely

Neutral

Not Likely

Very Unlikely
25

 Spending

If the proposed Siloam Springs Whitewater and Mountain Biking Park were to open, how many
times a year would you likely visit?
Number

When you travel to places like the proposed Siloam Springs Whitewater and Mountain Biking
Park, how many people are typically in your party (how many people will you share a car,
accommodations, meals with)?
Number

What amenities are you most interested in at the proposed Siloam Springs Whitewater and
Mountain Biking Park?
Interest
Kayaking

Kayaking Interest

Mountain Biking

Mountain Biking Interest

Disc Golf

Disc Golf Interest

Hiking Trails

Hiking Trails Interest

What concessions might your party be interested in purchasing at the proposed Siloam Springs
Whitewater and Mountain Biking Park?
Siloam Springs
Snacks and beverages

Snacks and beverages Siloam Springs

Meals

Meals Siloam Springs

Rent kayaks and related
equipment

Rent kayaks and related equipment Siloam Springs

Rent mountain bikes and
related equipment

Rent mountain bikes and related equipment Siloam Springs

Parking

Parking Siloam Springs

26

 What is the total amount your party is likely to spend on concessions at the proposed Siloam
Springs Whitewater and Mountain Biking Park?

If you travel to the proposed Siloam Springs Whitewater and Mountain Biking Park, would you
likely stay overnight in:
Siloam Springs
Other Northwest Arkansas city
Not stay overnight

What is the TOTAL amount (excluding concessions at the proposed development) YOUR PARTY
would likely spend in Siloam Springs on a potential trip?

Spending in NWA

If your party would stay overnight in Northwest Arkansas, please indicate the number of nights
for each applicable type of accommodation. If your party is staying in a hotel/motel or in a RV
park, please specify the number of rooms/sites your party is occupying each night.

Hotel/ Motel

Other

Number of Rooms/ Sites

Number of Nights

Hotel/ Motel Number of
Rooms/ Sites

Nights

Hotel/ Motel Number of

Other Number of Rooms/
Sites

Other Number of Nights

Approximately how many times is your party likely to purchase meals in other Northwest
Arkansas restaurants?
Breakfast (# of times)

Meals eaten by party

Lunch (# of times)

Dinner (# of times)

Meals eaten by
Meals eaten by
Meals eaten by
party Breakfast (# of
party Lunch (# of times) party Dinner (# of times)
times)

Please indicate which of these your party would likely do in in other Northwest Arkansas cities

27

 Northwest Arkansas
Purchase Fuel

Purchase Fuel Northwest Arkansas

Retail Shopping

Retail Shopping Northwest Arkansas

Buy Groceries

Buy Groceries Northwest Arkansas

Purchase Packaged Liquor

Purchase Packaged Liquor Northwest Arkansas

Rent a Vehicle

Rent a Vehicle Northwest Arkansas

Use a Taxi

Use a Taxi Northwest Arkansas

See a Movie

See a Movie Northwest Arkansas

Go to a Bar

Go to a Bar Northwest Arkansas

What is the TOTAL amount (excluding concessions at the proposed development) YOUR PARTY
would likely spend in Siloam Springs on a potential trip?

What is the TOTAL amount (excluding concessions at the proposed development) YOUR PARTY
would likely spend in other Northwest Arkansas cities on a potential trip?

Spending in Siloam

If your party would stay overnight in Siloam Springs, please indicate the number of nights for
each applicable type of accommodation. The following hotels/motels are in Siloam Springs:
Best Value, Hampton Inn, Hereford Motel, Holiday Inn Express, Stone Inn's, Super 7 Inn, and
Super 8 Motel.

Hotel/ Motel

Other

Number of Rooms/ Sites

Number of Nights

Hotel/ Motel Number of
Rooms/ Sites

Nights

Other Number of Rooms/
Sites

28

Hotel/ Motel Number of

Other Number of Nights

 Approximately how many times is your party likely to purchase meals at Siloam Springs
restaurants?
Breakfast (# of times)

Meals eaten by party

Lunch (# of times)

Dinner (# of times)

Meals eaten by
Meals eaten by
Meals eaten by
party Breakfast (# of
party Lunch (# of times) party Dinner (# of times)
times)

Please indicate which of these your party would likely do in Siloam Springs
Siloam Springs
Purchase Fuel

Purchase Fuel Siloam Springs

Retail Shopping

Retail Shopping Siloam Springs

Buy Groceries

Buy Groceries Siloam Springs

Purchase Packaged Liquor

Purchase Packaged Liquor Siloam Springs

Rent a Vehicle

Rent a Vehicle Siloam Springs

Use a Taxi

Use a Taxi Siloam Springs

See a Movie

See a Movie Siloam Springs

Go to a Bar

Go to a Bar Siloam Springs

What is the TOTAL amount (excluding concessions at the proposed development) YOUR PARTY
would likely spend in Siloam Springs on a potential trip?

29