Lawmaker Regina Ip has called on the government to lure international music acts such as Taylor Swift and Beyonce to Hong Kong, citing the economic boost that their concerts could bring. Speaking at a Legislative Council meeting on Wednesday, Ip said concerts could stimulate industries such as tourism and retail.
The 66 concerts that Swift staged last year yielded US$1 billion, she said. “In Asia, [Swift is going] to Singapore,” Ip said in Cantonese. “We lost this chance.” The American singer, who completed the first legs of her tour in the US and South America last year, is skipping Hong Kong on her world tour. She will hold six shows in Singapore in March.
A tourism boom linked to Swift’s concerts is expected there, with fans across Asia flying in to catch the artist. Hotels have reported an increase in bookings over Swift’s concert dates, media reported, while travel searches for Singapore also spiked when ticket sales opened. Singapore’s tourism board supported entertainment group AEG Presents Asia to bring Swift to the country.
