‘Smart’ move: Singapore’s grant for Taylor Swift concerts earns praise and brickbats from fans

Observers who spoke to This Week in Asia said such grants were likely to be given out based on investment returns, although these came with inherent “risks” such as no-shows by stars. They added that other factors, such as infrastructure, stability of the country and connectivity, also weighed in the minds of concert organisers.

“[AEG, the concert promoter] didn’t tell me the exact figure, but they said the Singapore government offers subsidies of between US$2 million and US$3 million,” Srettha told a business forum in Bangkok last Friday, according to a report by The Guardian.

“But the Singaporean government is clever. They told [organisers] not to hold any other shows in [Southeast] Asia.”

He has since vowed to attract top performers to Thailand, with a range of new measures in the pipelines.

“We can bring A-listers and world-class acts to Thailand. This must be done,” Reuters quoted Srettha as saying on Thursday.

He added the government will offer visa-free travel, change the rules on drinking alcohol at concerts, and adjust operating hours of entertainment venues and when liquor can be sold.

Industry observers said, however, that grants to attract international performers and events were not uncommon.

In a joint response to media queries, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) said a grant was given for Swift’s concerts as they were likely to “generate significant benefits to the Singapore economy, especially tourism activities such as hospitality, retail, travel and dining”.

“In the case of Taylor Swift, MCCY and Kallang Alive Sport Management recognised that there will be significant demand from Singaporeans as well as fans across the region for her to perform in