Deluxe packages named after Swift’s hit songs like “Shake it Off” and “Stay Stay Stay.” (document)
Singapore:
The “Swift Effect” is about to hit Southeast Asia, but Singapore is leaving some of its neighbors losers while it profits from the Taylor-made tourism boom, becoming the star’s only stop in the region. More than 300,000 fans from the city-state and neighboring countries will attend the US superstar’s six sold-out Eras Tour shows at the National Stadium from March 2 to 9.
Ingrid Delgado, a recent graduate from Manila who is heading to Singapore for a March 4 fashion show, said she bought a “shiny new dress” for the event, but It’s hard to find an affordable hotel.
“A lot of hotels were already booked, so I had to book a more expensive hotel,” she said.
The Fullerton Hotels & Resorts and Fairmont Hotels told AFP that demand for rooms had increased during the concerts.
Big-spending shoppers are snapping up luxury packages at Marina Bay Sands named after Swift’s hit songs like “Shake it Off” and “Stay Stay Stay.”
The hotel’s “Wildest Dreams” package is worth S$50,000 (US$37,230) and includes VIP tickets, fine dining, hotel suites, limousine transfers and tourist attraction passes.
The hotel told AFP that all packages had been sold out.
Singapore Airlines and Malaysia Airlines said demand for flights to Singapore had increased but could not say whether this was simply due to the “Swift effect”.
A large flock of Malaysian swifts will cross the border into neighboring Singapore.
“This is a dream come true. I’m excited and nervous,” said Harith Arsat, a 20-year-old student who is about to go on his first overseas trip from Kuala Lumpur.
In the Philippines, budget carrier Cebu Pacific has changed its usual flight numbers for flights to Singapore from March 1 to 9 to “1989” – the year Swift was born and the year she was born. Five album titles.
Red carpet
However, not everyone was happy when Swift’s only Southeast Asian stop was announced, including fans and governments in some of Singapore’s neighboring countries.
Due to the high exchange rate, traveling to Singapore is expensive for many people in the region, let alone luxury hotel packages.
Some aren’t satisfied yet, as Singapore offered a grant to help Swift on her record-breaking tour in the city-state.
Officials from the Ministry of Culture and the Singapore Tourism Board declined last week to disclose the amount paid, citing commercial confidentiality, or whether an exclusive deal had been signed to make Singapore Swift the only stop in Southeast Asia.
It was previously reported that Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin told a business forum in Bangkok that Singapore had indeed reached such an agreement.
Singaporean officials did not respond directly to Sreeta’s comments but said Swift’s show “is likely to bring significant benefits to the Singapore economy”.
Since the end of Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, Singapore has been rolling out the red carpet for many international artists including Blackpink, Harry Styles and Ed Sheeran.
Coldplay has sold out six shows in January, with upcoming shows including Bruno Mars, Sum 41 and Jerry Seinfeld.
“After the pandemic, Singapore started to open up faster than other countries, helped by its first-mover advantage and concerted efforts to introduce events, events and conferences,” Song Chengwen, international economic adviser at CGS, told AFP.
“The momentum has been building.”
“Don’t lose money quickly”
Millions of people rushed to snap up tickets when they went on sale last year, leading to an increase in online scams targeting desperate Swifts.
The Singapore police even posted a social media video with the slogan: “Don’t lose money quickly, buy tickets safely.”
Ericko Dimas Pamungkas, 25, of Jakarta, ignored the danger and logged into three devices to get ticket queue numbers.
“I’m very lucky. I feel like this concert is one of the most important moments for me,” he said.
Swift has evolved from a singer with catchy lyrics to a savvy businesswoman and the world’s biggest pop star, and fans believe the 34-year-old has a lot to learn.
“I appreciate Taylor’s candor and the power, generosity and compassion she represents,” said Singaporean pilot Spencer Ler, who queued for 22 hours to buy a ticket for his daughter and her friends. ticket.
“This is something girls can learn from.”
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
