The “Swift effect” is about to hit Southeast Asia, but Singapore has left some of its neighbors in the dust while profiting from Taylor’s tourism boom as the star’s only stop in the region.
More than 300,000 fans from the city-state and neighboring nations will attend the US superstar’s six sold-out Eras Tour gigs at the National Stadium between March 2 and 9.
Ingrid Delgado, a recent graduate from Manila who is traveling to Singapore for the March 4 event, said she purchased a “new shimmering dress” for the occasion but had difficulty finding inexpensive accommodation.
“A lot were booked already, so I had to book a more expensive hotel,” she said.
The Fullerton Hotels and Resorts and the Fairmont Hotel both informed AFP that demand for accommodations during the concert time had increased.
Big spenders have taken advantage of Marina Bay Sands’ luxury packages titled after Swift’s big songs, such as “Shake it Off” and “Stay Stay Stay”.
The hotel’s “Wildest Dreams” package costs SG$ 50,000 ($37,230) and includes VIP seats, luxury dining, a hotel suite, limousine transfers, and permits to tourist attractions.
The hotel told AFP that all of its packages were sold out.
Singapore Airlines and Malaysia Airlines reported increased demand for Singapore-bound flights, but could not say whether it was primarily due to the “Taylor Swift Effect”.
A large number of Malaysian Swifties will cross into adjacent Singapore.
“This is a dream come true. Harith Arsat, a 20-year-old student from Kuala Lumpur, said he is both excited and worried about his first international vacation.
Cebu Pacific has changed its customary flight number for Singapore-bound planes to 1989
Cebu Pacific, a budget carrier in the Philippines, has changed its customary flight number for Singapore-bound planes to “1989” — Swift’s birth year and the title of her fifth album — from March 1 to 9.
Singapore has been spreading out the red carpet for numerous foreign singers
However, not everyone was pleased when Taylor Swift’s only Southeast Asia appearance was confirmed, including fans and governments in some of Singapore’s neighboring countries.
Traveling to Singapore is expensive for many in the region due to high currency exchange rates, not to mention ritzy hotel packages.
Some were also upset because Singapore gave Taylor Swift a grant to assist in ensuring her record-breaking tour for the city-state.
Officials from the Culture Ministry and Singapore Tourism Board, citing corporate confidentiality, refused to reveal how much was paid last week or whether an exclusivity deal had been signed to make Singapore Swift’s sole Southeast Asian stop.
According to reports, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin told a business event in Bangkok that Singapore had signed such a deal.
Singapore officials did not explicitly respond to Srettha’s comments, but did state that Swift’s gigs were “likely to generate significant benefits to the Singapore economy”.
Singapore has been spreading out the red carpet for numerous foreign singers, like Blackpink, Harry Styles, and Ed Sheeran, since lifting its Covid-19 pandemic restrictions.
Coldplay had six sold-out gigs in January, and future headliners include Bruno Mars, Sum 41, and Jerry Seinfeld.
“Singapore started to open faster than others after the pandemic and its first-mover advantage and concerted efforts to bring in acts, events and conventions has helped,” Song Seng Wun, economic adviser for CGS International, told AFP.
“That momentum has been building up.”
‘Do not lose money quickly’
Millions scrambled for tickets when they went on sale last year, increasing online scams targeting desperate Swifties.
Singapore police even posted a social media video with the theme, “Don’t lose money quickly; buy your tickets safely.”
Regardless of all the dangers, Ericko Dimas Pamungkas, 25, of Jakarta, logged into three devices to obtain a ticket queue number.
“I was extremely lucky. “I believe that this concert is one of the most significant events in my life,” he stated.
Taylor Swift has grown from a vocalist with relatable songs to a savvy businesswoman and the world’s largest pop star, and fans believe there is still much to learn from the 34-year-old.
“I appreciate Taylor’s candidness and what she stands for such as rights, generosity, and compassion,” said Spencer Ler, a Singaporean pilot who queued for 22 hours to get tickets for his daughter and her friends.
“It’s something the girls can learn from.”