Parrtjima brings $1.8m into the Red Centre

2 August 2019

From 5 to 14 April, Parrtjima Festival attracted over 25,000 attendances, a 24 per cent increase on 2018 attendances, with interstate visitation contributing over $1.8 million to the Alice Springs economy through the unique Red Centre event.

Parrtjima is the only Aboriginal festival of its kind and showcases some of the oldest continuous cultures on earth through the latest technology set against the backdrop of the MacDonnell Ranges.

The 2019 instalment almost doubled the number of people who travelled to Alice Springs especially for Parrtjima, with a 90 per cent year on year increase.

Over $1.8 million was spent by visitors specially travelling to attend Parrtjima, a 34 per cent increase on last year.  

A huge 96 per cent of survey respondents agreed or strongly agreed that the Northern Territory Government should continue to invest funding in events like Parrtjima.

Parrtjima will be held again next year in the Red Centre from Friday 3 April to Sunday 12 April, with an even bigger program set to be revealed to the public in 2020.

The festival is funded through the Territory Labor Government’s Turbocharging Tourism investment.

Quotes from Minister for Tourism, Sport and Culture Lauren Moss:

“To see such positive survey results from this year’s Parrtjima shows this event is getting bigger and better every year.

“More visitors means more money into the Alice Springs economy with direct flow on benefits to local business.

“Not only do events such as Parrtjima boost visitation and support our economy, but they also add to the vibrant and unique Territory lifestyle that locals know and love.”

Lauren Moss, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Culture

Quote from Member for Braitling, Dale Wakefield MLA:

“We know that local events are integral to putting money back into the pockets of Territorians, which is why the Territory Labor Government is proud to allocate funding to festivals such as Parrtjima.”

Dale Wakefield MLA, Member for Braitling