≡-Bentonville, US Launches Destination Master Plan to Boost Tourism Growth and Enhance Visitor Experience – Viral of Today

<> Viral of Today <>

Home
»
America Travel News
»
Bentonville, US Launches Destination Master Plan to Boost Tourism Growth and Enhance Visitor Experience

Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Bentonville, a city known for its rich history and growth, has partnered with the Chicago-based tourism advisory firm, Hunden Partners, to develop a comprehensive Destination Master Plan. The initiative was launched on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, and aims to provide clear guidance for the city’s tourism growth, ensuring that this growth aligns with the needs and priorities of both residents and visitors. This ambitious project will be crucial in positioning Bentonville as a premier destination while keeping its community’s values at the forefront.

The Destination Master Plan has specific goals, including making sure that the city’s expansion in tourism benefits not only visitors but also the local population. With a timeline of 10 months for completion, the plan will incorporate extensive input from various stakeholders and experts. Hunden Partners has been contracted for this plan at a cost of $198,000, signaling the city’s commitment to making data-driven decisions for its tourism future.

Kalene Griffith, the president and CEO of Visit Bentonville, emphasized the significance of the plan, describing it as a rare, once-in-a-generation opportunity to unify various stakeholders around a shared vision for the city’s tourism industry. The plan, Griffith explained, will not only promote tourism but will also boost Bentonville’s local economy, supporting small businesses and enhancing the overall quality of life for the residents. Through this process, the city aims to identify its assets, address existing gaps, and take advantage of new opportunities. The ultimate goal is to tell Bentonville’s story to the world, making it an attractive and sustainable destination for years to come.

In recent months, Bentonville has already seen impressive economic growth in tourism. In 2024, the economic impact from events doubled from approximately $19 million in 2023 to an astounding $41 million. This surge in revenue highlights the importance of tourism to Bentonville’s economy. Visit Bentonville, the city’s tourism organization, was involved in 310 events in 2024, contributing significantly to this record-breaking figure.

Rob Hunden, the president and CEO of Hunden Partners, expressed his enthusiasm for working with Visit Bentonville on the Destination Master Plan. Hunden acknowledged the importance of aligning the city’s tourism vision with actionable steps to ensure sustainable growth and a better visitor experience. The plan, according to Hunden, will act as a roadmap for future development, ensuring that tourism not only boosts the economy but also enriches the community’s quality of life. Hunden also emphasized that the plan would solidify Bentonville’s standing as a leading destination in the region.

As of the launch of the plan, several key developments were either already completed or underway, poised to shape the city’s tourism landscape and create lasting opportunities for residents and businesses. One of the most notable of these is the new Walmart headquarters, which is expected to bring in a wealth of visitors and business opportunities. The Walmart Museum has also undergone restoration, offering a new and improved experience for tourists. The expansion of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, an iconic cultural institution in Bentonville, is set to attract even more art lovers from around the world.

In addition, Bentonville is making strides in the medical tourism sector, with the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine and the Heartland Whole Health Institute expected to contribute to a rise in visitors seeking healthcare services. The city’s development plan also includes the creation of a downtown promenade, 8th Street Gateway Park, and the expansion of the Scott Family Amazeum, a family-oriented museum. Alongside these projects, new hotels are being built to accommodate the increasing number of visitors, further contributing to the city’s growth as a prime travel destination.

The Destination Master Plan is envisioned as a long-term framework for making strategic decisions in several critical areas. These include transportation, accommodations, attractions, marketing, and community engagement. The plan will assess Bentonville’s existing strengths, evaluate market opportunities, and offer practical, implementable recommendations to ensure that the city’s tourism growth remains sustainable. The goal is to make Bentonville a cohesive, well-developed destination that attracts tourists while preserving the quality of life for those who call the city home.

The planning process will involve various forms of community engagement, including public input sessions, stakeholder discussions, and market research. Resident and visitor sentiment studies will help shape the future of tourism in the city. The city’s tourism assets, along with its events, will be cataloged to provide a clearer picture of its potential. An economic impact analysis will also be conducted, and destination benchmarking will offer insights into how Bentonville compares to similar cities in terms of tourism development.

A key focus of the plan will be on product development, creating opportunities for placemaking, and fostering marketing strategies that resonate with both local residents and potential visitors. Regional collaboration will also be a priority, ensuring that neighboring areas work together to create a stronger, unified tourism experience. The plan will assess the accessibility of Bentonville’s tourism offerings, as well as align the city’s workforce with its growing tourism demands.

One of the most important aspects of the Destination Master Plan will be strengthening Bentonville’s image as a desirable place to visit. The plan will look at how the city can improve mobility for visitors and enhance the overall experience of those coming to the city. From transportation infrastructure improvements to marketing strategies aimed at drawing in more visitors, the plan will work toward making Bentonville a welcoming, easy-to-navigate destination.

In addition to improving the visitor experience, the plan is expected to lead to increased revenue for local businesses. With more visitors comes the potential for more spending, which will help support the local economy and create jobs in the tourism sector. The plan will also focus on enhancing the overall quality of life for Bentonville residents by ensuring that tourism growth benefits the community, rather than putting undue pressure on it.

The outcome of the Destination Master Plan will be a more cohesive and strategically developed Bentonville, one that balances tourism with the needs of the local community. Increased tourism revenue, a stronger visitor economy, and a unified destination identity are among the anticipated outcomes. By gathering input from the community throughout the planning process, Visit Bentonville and Hunden Partners aim to ensure that the final vision reflects the desires and aspirations of the people who live in and visit the city.

As the plan progresses, updates will be released regularly, allowing the public to follow the developments and share their opinions. The community will play a central role in shaping the tourism future of Bentonville, with key decisions being made based on the collective input of residents, business owners, and stakeholders. Through this collaborative approach, Bentonville hopes to become a leading destination that offers both exceptional experiences for visitors and a sustainable, high quality of life for its residents.

Looking ahead, the implementation of the Destination Master Plan will mark the beginning of a new era for Bentonville’s tourism industry. With a clear roadmap in place, the city is poised to grow in a way that is both exciting and sustainable. By focusing on key areas such as accessibility, marketing, and regional collaboration, Bentonville is set to capitalize on its many strengths and turn its tourism potential into reality. As this ambitious project moves forward, the city will be ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, making Bentonville an even more attractive place for visitors from across the globe.
Tags: Bentonville city development, Bentonville tourism growth, Bentonville tourism initiatives, Destination Master Plan, sustainable tourism Bentonville, tourism development Bentonville, tourism investments Bentonville, tourism planning USA, Travel News, USA tourism strategy, visitor experience Bentonville

This information will surprise you!

See also

• Read until the end to discover everything.
• Important information you need to know.
• Interesting facts and helpful tips.

Conclusion

Did you enjoy the news? Keep following us daily!