Indonesia keen to work with Singapore to stage big concerts after city state’s Swift success

Indonesian Tourism Minister Sandiaga Uno recently visited the island republic and held talks with Singapore’s Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu to explore potential collaboration on hosting entertainment events involving A-list celebrities.

“Considering the recent Taylor Swift concert in Singapore, the Singaporean economy has seen a significant increase, as the concertgoers brought in five times more spending than the typical tourists,” Sandiaga said in a statement last week.

Sandiaga said the government would set up a US$128 million Indonesia tourism fund aimed at supporting local organisers to stage world-class music shows.

“Our strategy is to provide special incentives for promoters or event organisers who will bring in international events to Indonesia,” he said.

The minister added the initiative, likely to be launched this year, would also support cultural and sporting spectacles.

Sandiaga pledged to cut red tape and overhaul the permit system to make the process “more transparent”.

“We believe with the digitalisation of concert permits, or this ‘single-door system’, promoters will not have any difficulties. It will cost less [for them] to apply for a permit,” he said.

Sandiaga’s ambition to inject a dose of “Swiftonomics” into Indonesia’s tourism sector has gathered pace after Singapore signed a deal with the singer to make the city state her only Southeast Asian stop.

The pop sensation performed six sold-out shows in the first week of March, reeling in Swifties and tourists from across the region.

Economists estimate the concerts would add around S$300 million (US$225 million) to S$400 million to Singapore’s GDP in the first quarter.

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