Accommodation partner announced for 2022 Canberra and Region Heritage Festival

2021-12-14

For the first time in its history, the Canberra and Region Heritage Festival will have an accommodation partner, with the heritage-listed Mercure Hotel coming on-board to bring interstate visitors to stay and participate in the festival.

The Mercure Canberra is a heritage-listed landmark in the ACT and a natural fit for partnership with the Canberra and Region Heritage Festival, Minister for Heritage Rebecca Vassarotti said.

“Mercure Canberra has also recently joined our Canberra Tracks network with a sign that provides the history of the heritage-listed site, making the Mercure the perfect heritage festival accommodation partner,” Minister Vassarotti said.

“The partnership will showcase the hotel to locals via their hosting of events as well as the launch of the festival. An exclusive Heritage Festival package will be made available to interstate people attending one of the hundred plus events in April. This partnership will help the festival maximise its reach into new markets and give us insight into the numbers coming to the ACT for the festival.

“It is another way the ACT Government is supporting the tourism industry after a difficult 18 months. The Heritage Festival is in its 39th year and this partnership with a heritage-listed hotel is a step forward to recognising the importance of heritage tourism to the local economy.”

With the festival kicking off on the 9 April 2022, Minister Vassarotti encouraged the Canberra community to register their events and activities around the theme of ‘Curiosity’.  

“I am excited to announce today the first steps of what I am sure will be a fantastic 39th heritage festival,” Minister Vassarotti said. “If you have a passion for our region’s story or know of a good yarn or two from the history of Canberra, then don’t be afraid to put an event together and share it with the community.

“Last year, we had over 160 unique and diverse events over two weeks. This year, we are extending the festival for an additional weekend so we can include a new kid’s week, focusing on events that encourage kids to engage with heritage from a young age.

“In 2022, we really want to see the community challenging what they perceive as heritage.  The theme of ‘Curiosity’ will focus on the foundation of new ideas, creativity and innovation in the way we view heritage within the ACT.

“I invite all event holders and interested community members to submit their event registrations for the 2022 festival. We want to see even more events this year, particularly those focusing on engaging children, and we would also love to see a higher number of Aboriginal events showcasing our rich history of Aboriginal culture.”

To register your event as a part of the 2022 Canberra and Region Heritage Festival visit the Heritage Festival website.

Quotes attributable to Lukas Wilfling, General Manager Mercure Canberra

“Mercure Canberra are proud to partner with the Canberra and Region Heritage Festival in 2022. It has always been our desire to offer our guests a modern, up-to-date hotel that also highlights our rich history. As a heritage hotel built in 1926, we will provide guests to the festival with a historic setting, with the benefit of modern 4 star comforts, from which to enjoy all the festival has to offer.”

“With our new Canberra Tracks Heritage sign taking pride of place facing Limestone Avenue, we look forward to capturing the public’s imagination as to our unique story and invite them inside for a drink with us in the public bar, Olims.”