STB grants support for Taylor Swift concerts, foresees economic boost for Singapore

SINGAPORE:  The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) have officially confirmed the government’s support of the upcoming Taylor Swift concerts in Singapore, facilitated through a grant.

On Tuesday (20 Feb), in response to inquiries from Singapore’s primary media outlet, The Straits Times, STB and MCCY issued a joint statement expressing their confidence that the concerts are poised to bring substantial benefits to the Singaporean economy.

The statement highlighted the anticipated positive impact on various tourism sectors, including hospitality, retail, travel, and dining, drawing parallels with the success observed in other cities where the pop star has performed.

Notably, the statement revealed that over 300,000 tickets have already been sold for the concerts, attracting a considerable number of fans from different countries.

“Singapore has much to offer as a destination for large-scale international events, with our strategic location, quality infrastructure, safety, efficiency, and diverse cultural offerings, ” the statement added.

“The Kallang Alive Sport Management (KASM) will continue to actively bring a range of diverse lifestyle and entertainment offerings to the Sports Hub.”

The Grammy-winning American singer, recently honoured with her fourth Grammy award for Album of the Year, is scheduled to host six shows at the National Stadium in Singapore from 2 to 9 March.

Notably, Singapore is the sole destination in Asia for Swift’s tour, excluding Japan.

The provided statement affirmed that since the government regained control of the Singapore Sports Hub, the Kallang Alive Sport Management, a wholly owned entity under MCCY, has been actively working to enhance accessibility and vibrancy for all Singaporeans.

Additionally, it mentioned that KASM collaborates with event organizers to craft a “uniquely Singapore experience” for both locals and visitors, leveraging strong global relationships and the multi-disciplinary expertise of the KASM team.

Thai PM alleges exclusive Taylor Swift deal limits Southeast Asia shows to Singapore

Earlier, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin disclosed that concert promoter Anschutz Entertainment Group informed him about the Singapore Government’s offer of subsidies, amounting to up to US$3 million for each concert.

According to a report by the Bangkok Post, Thavisin alleged that Singapore had secured exclusive rights for Taylor Swift to perform at the renowned National Stadium in the city-state, effectively shutting out other Southeast Asian nations from hosting the pop sensation.

The Prime Minister expressed his belief that bringing Swift’s tour to Thailand would have been a more economically viable option, potentially attracting greater sponsorship and tourism revenue to the country.

The economic impact of Swift’s ‘Eras Tour’ cannot be understated. With projections estimating earnings of US$2.2 billion in North America alone, the tour has been hailed as a staggering financial success.

The overall economic valuation of the tour has been pegged at an astonishing US$5 billion, surpassing the Gross Domestic Product of many nations.

The disappointment among fans in the region is palpable, especially considering Swift’s previous performances in countries like Thailand.

The allure of Swift’s tour lies not only in its financial prowess but also in its cultural significance. Paying homage to her extensive discography spanning ten albums, the ‘Eras Tour’ stands as Swift’s most ambitious venture yet, encompassing 151 shows across five continents.

Notably, it has secured its place in history as the highest-grossing tour of all time, surpassing the monumental milestone of $1 billion in revenue.

Reports highlighted a sold-out concert at the Impact Arena Muang Thong Thani in Nonthaburi Province back in 2014, although the event was ultimately cancelled without explanation, leaving fans disheartened.

Swift cancelled her tour concert that year, the official cancellation notice on her website cited it as being “due to recent events in Thailand.”

This decision followed the Thai army taking control of the country and imposing a curfew and martial law following the military coup on 22 May 2014.