The Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism has been selected as the grand prize winner for destination marketing organizations by the North American Travel Journalists Association. The designation signifies the department's work as “the best of the best in destination marketing for 2015,” according to NATJA.

ADPT received the award in recognition of its social media campaign and online photo contest called “Barkansas.” The campaign also received a separate “gold” award from NATJA.

Developed in collaboration with interactive agency Aristotle Inc., ADPT launched Barkansas in August 2015 to engage traveling pet owners. The Natural State is the number one state for dog ownership in the U.S., according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Barkansas encouraged residents and visitors alike to share photos of their dogs having adventures across the state. Submissions to Barkansas began August 3 and lasted until August 27, 2015. Weekly winners were chosen by ADPT with grand prize winners voted on by the public via Facebook “likes.”

To view the 2015 winners and find out more about pet-friendly destinations in Arkansas, visit www.Arkansas.com/barkansas.