‘Swift effect’ hits Singapore with hotels, flights booked out ahead of singer’s only stop in Southeast Asia

More than 300,000 fans from the city state and neighbouring countries will attend the US superstar’s six sold-out Eras Tour shows at the National Stadium from March 2-9.

Ingrid Delgado, a fresh graduate in Manila who is travelling to Singapore for the March 4 show, said she bought a “new shimmering dress” for the occasion but had trouble finding an affordable hotel.

“A lot were booked already, so I had to book a more expensive hotel,” she said.

The Fullerton Hotels and Resorts, as well as the Fairmont Hotel, said demand for rooms during the concert period had risen.

Big spenders have taken up Marina Bay Sands’ luxury packages named after Swift’s hit songs, such as Shake it Off and Stay Stay Stay.

The hotel’s S$50,000 (US$37,230) “Wildest Dreams” package includes VIP tickets, fine dining, a hotel suite, limousine transfers and passes to tourist attractions. The hotel said all its packages were sold out.

Singapore Airlines and Malaysia Airlines said there had been increased demand for Singapore-bound flights but could not say whether it was solely due to the “Swift Effect”.

A large contingent of Malaysian Swifties will be crossing into neighbouring Singapore.

“It’s a dream come true. I feel excited and nervous,” said Harith Arsat, a 20-year-old student who will be making his first overseas trip from Kuala Lumpur.

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However, not everyone was happy when Swift’s only Southeast Asia stop was announced, including fans and governments in some of Singapore’s neighbours.

Travelling to Singapore is expensive for many in the region due to high currency exchanges, to say nothing of ritzy hotel packages.

Some were also unhappy because Singapore provided a grant to help secure