ROGERS — Hotel tax receipts, a measure of tourism strength in Rogers, set a record in 2013, breaking a record set in 2012.

“It’s been a very good year for tourism in Rogers,” said Allyson Twiggs Dyer, executive director of the Rogers Convention and Tourism Bureau.

The Advertising and Promotions Commission, which operates under the bureau umbrella, collects a 2 percent tax on hotel room rentals. Receipts for November and December haven’t been posted, but through October the commission collected $594,692 in taxes compared with $574,624 for the same period in 2012, a 3.5 percent increase, according to commission numbers.

There are a number of factors involved in the increasing number of conventions

and tourists coming to Rogers, Dyer said.

“Crystal Bridges museum still brings a lot of people into the area, but that’s just one of the reasons tourism is increasing,” Dyer said.

The economy is gaining strength which plays a part in tourism, and new attractions in Rogers have also contributed to the increase, Dyer said.

The opening of the Regional Sports Park made a difference, bringing players and family members to Rogers.

“There were a lot of weekend tournaments at the park. There were more people staying in our hotels, shopping in the stores and generally spending money in Rogers,” Dyer said.

Baseball and softball tournament directors are calling about open dates in 2014 for tournaments at the sports park, Dyer said.

The park has exceeded expectations, said Barney Hayes, city parks director. The park opened in January 2013 with the annual Snowball Classic softball tournament.

“We had about 23 tournaments at the park last year, which is more than we expected for the first year,” Hayes said. “On the second day of 2014, we already have 19 tournaments scheduled. I expect we will have 25 tournaments this summer, and that doesn’t count the fall tournaments.”

Tournaments are played on the weekends with teams playing on the fields during the week, Hayes said.

A number of conventions are also scheduled for this year, increasing hotel stays and sales tax revenue, Dyer said.

“We are particularly excited about is the big winter convention of the Arkansas Municipal League at the John Q. Hammons Center. This is the first time Rogers has hosted the convention, which is usually held in Little Rock,” Dyer said.

Other major events include the FLW fishing tournament, the LPGA golf tournament and the Daisy BB gun competition, Dyer said.

The opening of the Arkansas Music Pavilion is also expected to attract visitors, Dyer said.

“The AMP is a whole new attraction for the area. We’ve never had a music venue before,” Dyer said.

The pavilion is moving from Fayetteville to its new home west of Interstate 540, south of Embassy Suites Hotel.

“It’s definitely a loss for Fayetteville, but it will be major benefit for Rogers,” said Marilyn Heifner, executive director of the Fayetteville Advertising and Promotion Commission.

Heifner said the pavilion had an impact of about $1 million in sales tax and tourism.

“I suspect the AMP will have a bigger impact in Rogers because the venue will be able to accommodate many more people for a concert. The size of the AMP will allow for bigger name acts to play at the venue as well,” Heifner said.

While the move is a loss for Fayetteville, Heifner said, the city will still draw thousands of visitors to the area for sporting events and other attractions.

Business people also believe the pavilion will increase stays at Rogers’ hotels and shopping at retail centers.

“There is no doubt the AMP will have an impact on the Pinnacle Hills Promenade,” said Brenda Majors, director of marketing for the shopping center.

“I think people will come from Oklahoma and around the state to attend events at the AMP. While they are here they are likely to stay in our hotels, eat in our restaurants and shop in our retail stores. The AMP should be a major plus for this area,” Majors said.

David Lang, manager of Embassy Suites, agreed the music pavilion will be beneficial to the Rogers area.

“We expect we will have some increased business because of the AMP. People may come early for a show and make mini-vacation out of the experience. We plan to market a package the includes a stay in the hotel, dinner at a restaurant and show tickets,” Lang said.

Because of its location, Lang said the pavilion should be an economic boon to the west side of town, but at least one business in downtown Rogers may benefit as well.

“We are already a destination for some people,” said Julie Yell, manager of The Rail Pizza Company on South First Street.

“People find us through Urbanspoon and word of mouth. I think the AMP will benefit us as well because we are already well known.” Yell added.

Urbanspoon is a food website and cellphone application which offers restaurant information.

Other attractions — the aquatic center, Veterans Park and new soccer fields — may also increase tourism, Dyer said.

“We are on the cusp of another growth period,” Dyer said. “Rogers is already a destination, but over the next couple of years I expect we will see more restaurants and, maybe, more entertainment venues in the area, which should put Rogers in a great position to become a bigger destination for shoppers, sport fans and others.”