Demand for air tickets and accommodation in Singapore increased sharply, as fans prepared to go to the island nation to watch singer Taylor Swift’s tour.

Taylor Swift’s tour in Singapore will last 6 days from March 2-9. More than 300,000 tickets for 6 shows at Singapore National Stadium have been sold out. VIP ticket price is more than 900 USD.

Ingrid Delgado, a recent graduate in Manila, Philippines, plans to go to Singapore to see the show on March 4. She bought herself “a beautiful new dress” but couldn’t find an affordable hotel. “Many rooms were booked. I was forced to move to a more expensive hotel,” she said.

Channel News Asia quoted information from hotels and airlines saying that demand for air tickets and accommodation around Taylor Swift’s tour in Singapore has increased by up to 30%. Singapore’s Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) and Singapore Tourism Board (STB) estimate the country will welcome a “large number” of Taylor Swift fans from other countries.

“This is a dream come true. I feel excited and nervous,” said Harith Arsat, a 20-year-old student, preparing to depart from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore. This is also the first time Arsat has gone abroad.

In the Philippines, low-cost airline Cebu Pacific changed its flight number to Singapore to “1989” from March 1 to 9. 1989 is the year of birth of Taylor Swift and the name of the singer’s 5th album.

Singer Taylor Swift performed with dancers in Sydney on February 23. Photo: AFP

However, not everyone was satisfied, when Singapore was announced as Taylor Swift’s only stop in Southeast Asia.

High exchange rates make traveling to Singapore expensive, not to mention purchasing hotel packages. Some were also dissatisfied when information appeared that Singapore’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism “spent a grant” to persuade Taylor Swift to open an exclusive concert in this country. Singapore officials did not disclose the specific amount.

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said on February 16 at a business forum that Singapore paid Taylor Swift 100 million baht (more than 2.7 million USD) for each night of performing in this country, with Singapore conditions included. must be the only stop in Southeast Asia.

The Singapore government did not comment directly on the information given by the Thai Prime Minister, only saying that the tour “can bring significant benefits to the economy”.

According to an expert, the economic value that Taylor Swift’s tour brings to Singapore could exceed the estimated figure of 1.2 billion AUD (787 million USD) when she performs in Melbourne, Australia for three days from September 16-18. 2. With 4 days of performing in Tokyo, Japan, the American singer is estimated to generate revenue of up to 34.1 billion yen (more than 226 million USD) for this country.

After Covid-19, Singapore has “rolled out the red carpet” to welcome a series of international artists, such as Blackpink, Harry Styles and Ed Sheeran. The band Coldplay had 6 sold-out shows in January. Other big names preparing to come to the lion island include Bruno Mars, the group Sum 41 and stand-up comedian Jerry Seinfeld.

“Singapore has reopened after the pandemic faster than others, they are also at the forefront of concerted efforts to attract events and conferences,” said Song Seng Wun, economic advisor at the services company CGS International finance, said.

Some parties are also starting to make moves to compete with Singapore. Indonesia established a tourism fund of 1,000 billion rupiah (more than 63 million USD) to attract international artists to perform. “We need a ‘Swift effect’ for Indonesia’s tourism industry,” Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno said on February 20.

Hong Kong leader John Lee on the same day declared that the city “must make tireless efforts” to attract large-scale events. Thai Prime Minister Srettha said on February 22 that Bangkok will also make more efforts to attract “A-list and world-class stars”, including visa exemption for tourists and changes to beverage regulations. alcohol at shows.

People waited in line overnight to buy tickets to watch Taylor Swift’s tour in Singapore on July 6, 2023. Photo: Reuters

Millions of people rushed to hunt for Taylor Swift’s tour tickets when they went on sale last year, also leading to an increase in online scams targeting fans. Singapore police posted a video on social networks to advise on safe ticket purchases to avoid losing money unfairly.

Ericko Dimas Pamungkas, 25 years old, in Jakarta, Indonesia, logged into three devices to get a queue number to buy tickets. “I’m very lucky. I feel like this tour is one of the most important moments for me,” he shared.

From a singer, Taylor Swift has gradually become a businesswoman and the biggest pop star in the world. Fans believe that they can learn many things from their idols.

“I appreciate Taylor’s candor and what she has shown about rights, generosity and compassion,” said Spencer Ler, a Singaporean pilot who waited in line for 22 hours to buy a ticket for his daughter. . “Those are things girls can learn.”

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