Singapore schools by cleverly securing Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour
The Singaporean government's exclusivity agreement with Taylor Swift highlights competitive national dynamics in Southeast Asia’s tourism industry
It is intriguing how the Singaporean government used millions of dollars in tourism grants to secure all Taylor Swift's The Eras Tours in Southeast Asia. It is known in entertainment wherever Ms. Swift goes, sold-out shows and disposable cash follow. Officials from Thailand and Philippines criticized Singapore for pricing them out. The deal prevents Taylor Swift bringing significant tourism revenue into their countries.
At roughly $500 million in revenue for 6 performances, there are sour apples to go around. Whilst in Australia, the Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong responded to reporters over the controversy. Bluntly, Mr. Loong quipped: we've made a good deal, and it's not the Singaporean Government's responsibility to look out for the sensitivities of their neighbors when it comes to tourism revenue. Discussion ended.
Evidently, the Singaporean Government waits patiently in the corner for special types of tourism opportunities. Ones that will attract tourists who have lots of money to spend. But, there is a catch.
Tourists need to have interest in old-fashioned, clean fun. Singapore’s laws and rules are many. With Singaporean officials anticipating an influx of people, the government wants respectful tourists. What country wouldn't want law-abiding visitors?
All circumstances and standards are not created equal. Singapore lives in a neighborhood where it has big competition for tourism. Although COVID threw a crank in Southeast Asia's tourism rankings, generally Thailand beats out Singapore for #1 by nearly double the visitors. Malaysia floats in the middle.
It is challenging to compete with Thailand for tourism. The unparalleled beauty of the Andaman Sea. Phuket’s beaches. Bangkok’s energy. Thailand is culturally rich with temples nestled throughout the land. Debatably, the tops in Asian cuisine. The kind nature of Thai people precedes them in reputation. Combined with Thailand's affordability, it ranks 8th globally for most popular destination titles.
However, Thailand's international tourism industry has a reputation for its rowdy saturnalia. It is trash and filth left on beaches by tourists. Unruly consumption of alcohol and illicit drugs. Animal rights abuses such as the treatment of elephants. I will skip details on explicit nightlife. The sort, once seen.. cannot be unseen. An issue the Thai government seeks to address, but tourism revenue is valuable.
Former Singaporean secretary for Foreign Affairs Bilahari Kausikan remarked to criticism that Singapore must be better, faster, and more creative to be competitive. In a strictly governed nation like Singapore, Thailand's public parties are not tolerated. Singapore is known for vigilantly and harshly enforcing its many rules and laws. The whippings by cane are real. Many a nonchalant tourist planned a vacation in Singapore to wake up in prison.
In celebration of traveling to Singapore for the entire 6-night tour, Charlyn Suizo, the head of Philippines Swifties and her group, dressed up in banana costumes. This is the extent of rowdiness for Swifities, the official term for Taylor Swift fans. It is no wonder the Singaporean government swooned over the low-key demographic.
Singaporeans, culturally diverse themselves, want to protect their cultural and family values from negative outside influences. Singapore's wealth enables it to be selective of entertainment opportunities. Singapore's political stability and infrastructure make a difference, too. After all, the wealthy prefer quiet.
Taylor Swift is known for the sincerity in concern for her fans. During The Eras Tour in Rio de Janeiro, concert goer Ana Clara Benevides died from heat exhaustion. Ms. Swift was recorded to struggle during parts of the performance, experiencing the unruly heat and humidity. It did not help that venue organizers limited personal water bottles. Taylor extended the tour after the death, and personally organized water be provided freely.
In May 2014, Taylor Swift canceled her sold-out performance in Thailand due to the Royal Thai Armed Forces coup. Given Ms. Swift's character, one can presume Singapore's adherence to rules and high-quality infrastructure played a role on par with the multi-million dollar tax break. At a minimum, her fans will not be risking their lives to see her show.
If you are a foreigner going to Singapore, whether or not to enjoy Taylor Swift's performance, know the laws and follow the rules. Rule of law is no joke.
~E
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