Parrtjima – A Festival in Light has wrapped up in the Red Centre after 10 nights filled with light, music, talks, workshops and film. Organisers have now confirmed the dates for Parrtjima 2022 as 8-17 April next year.
The 2021 festival recorded more than 23,000 attendances, with visitors from all over Australia making the journey to the heart of the country to celebrate Aboriginal culture. A popular addition to the 2021 program was the Merne Desert Dinner under the stars, which sold out months in advance. Merne will return for the 2022 festival, along with dedicated Parrtjima travel packages, which were introduced for the first time this year.
Parrtjima is delivered by the Northern Territory Government through NT Major Events Company (NTMEC) and produced by Creative Directors AGB Events.
NTMEC CEO Tim Watsford said the festival had been a roaring success during a time that continues to pose challenges for the travel and events industries.
“To see this many people attend our event is incredible,” Mr Watsford said. “Despite these unpredictable times, thousands of people headed to Alice Springs Desert Park, Todd Mall and the Araluen Arts Centre to enjoy a packed program and create lasting memories. We will build on the success of this year to make Parrtjima 2022 even more memorable.”
Closing weekend of the 2021 festival saw huge numbers through the gates, as eager fans arrived to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy live music from Ziggy Ramo on Saturday and Shellie Morris on Sunday in front of the MacDonnell Ranges. It wrapped up an epic 10 nights of festivities that saw the eyes of the nation focused on Alice Springs as a shining example of how to hold a safe, successful event in an industry badly affected by COVID-19.
The influx of visitors saw a boom for businesses in the region, with barely an empty hotel room or hire car to be found. Danial Rochford, CEO of Tourism Central Australia, said Parrtjima was a great start to the Red Centre’s events season.
“Our operators have seen great interest in their offerings, which is fantastic news after a year where tourism was severely impacted by travel restrictions,” Mr Rochford said. “Several tours and experiences have been fully booked, which is fantastic.
“As a major festival on the events calendar, Parrtjima has certainly helped encourage people to visit the Red Centre, and our operators are seeing the benefits, along with plenty of other local businesses.”
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