Singapore denies paying millions for Taylor Swift’s exclusive concerts

Singapore’s Culture Minister Edwin Tong has refuted the claims that the city-state paid millions of dollars to secure the exclusive rights to host Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in Southeast Asia. He said that the actual amount was “nowhere as high” as what was reported, and that the deal was part of a broader strategy to boost the tourism and entertainment sectors.

Thai PM sparks controversy over Taylor Swift’s grant

The controversy over Taylor Swift’s grant started when Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin revealed last month that Singapore had offered the pop star up to US$3 million for each of her six concerts, in exchange for keeping the shows exclusive to Singapore in the region. He said that he had heard about the arrangement from the concert promoter AEG, and that he regretted not bringing the shows to Thailand.

According to the report, quoted Srettha as saying: “If I had known this, I would have brought the shows to Thailand. We have better venues and more fans than Singapore.” He also said that he would ask the Thai tourism minister to look into the matter and find out why Thailand missed the opportunity.

Singapore’s minister clarifies the facts behind Taylor Swift’s deal

Singapore’s Culture Minister Edwin Tong responded to the allegations on Friday, in an interview with CNA. He said that the figures that were circulated online were “nowhere as high” as what was speculated, and that he would reveal more details in parliament on Monday. He also said that the deal was not just about the grant, but the overall package that Singapore offered to the promoter and the artist.

Tong said that Singapore had a long-term partnership with AEG, and that they had worked together on many events, such as the Formula One Grand Prix and the HSBC Women’s World Championship. He said that Singapore had a reputation for being a reliable and attractive destination for world-class events, and that it had a strong fan base and a vibrant entertainment scene.

He also said that he had requested that Taylor Swift’s concerts be at the end of any segment of her tour, so that there would be a possibility of extending the number of nights, depending on the demand. He said that this strategy paid off, as the initial three shows were sold out quickly, and another three shows were added later.

Taylor Swift’s concerts expected to boost Singapore’s tourism and economy

Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, which is named after her seven studio albums, is one of the most anticipated musical events of the year. The tour, which started in June 2023, has been a huge success, with sold-out shows and rave reviews. The tour will end in Singapore, where Swift will perform six shows from March 12 to March 21, 2024.

The concerts are expected to attract more than 300,000 fans, many of whom will be travelling from other countries in the region, such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, and Vietnam. The concerts are also expected to generate millions of dollars in revenue for the local tourism and hospitality sectors, as well as create jobs and opportunities for the creative industry.

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) said that it supported the event through a grant, but did not disclose the amount or the conditions of the grant. The STB said that the event was part of its efforts to position Singapore as a leading destination for leisure and business events, and to enhance its appeal and vibrancy.