Ticket sales are up on last year for the 9th WOMAD New Zealand festival, starting on Friday in New Plymouth.
The city is welcoming hundreds of international musicians for three days of music, dance, food and fun at the World of Music and Dance Festival.
Tikorangi school children enjoy the music of Bassekou Kouyate and Ngoni Ba who will be playing at WOMAD. Photo: RNZ
The Taranaki Arts Festival Trust says pre-ticket sales - including the 3-day tickets for $239 - are up 6% on last year.
Since the show became an annual event in 2008 about 9,000 tickets are sold.
The trust estimates $9 million came into the region from last year's festival and is hoping for at least that this time round.
Taranaki Motel Association president, Fi Evans, says accommodation is full.
Many festival-goers also camp at the official WOMAD campsite, near the Bowl of Brooklands venue.
