Salceda seeks explanation on Singapore's alleged exclusivity deal for Taylor Swift's 'Eras Tour'
House Ways and Means Chairman Joey Salceda requested the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to write a note verbale to the Singaporean Embassy to explain the city-state’s alleged deal to exclusively host all Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour shows in Southeast Asia.
Rep. Salceda, who also serves as the representative of Albay, questioned on Wednesday, Feb. 28 Singapore’s alleged exclusivity agreement with the concert organizer AEG Presents for the Eras Tour.
“Some US $3 million in grants were allegedly given by the Singapore government to AEG to host the concert in Singapore. The catch was that they do not host it elsewhere in the region,” Salceda said, which he says is not “what good neighbors do” if proven true.
“I give it to them that the policy worked. Regional demand for Singaporean hotels and airlines was up 30% over the period. I estimate that the exclusivity term caused an increase in industry revenues by US$60 million,” he said.
“But it was at the expense of neighboring countries, which could not attract their own foreign concert-goers, and whose fans had to go to Singapore," he added.
Salceda then stressed that the Philippines need to intensify its efforts to boost the country’s tourism.
“In the long run, though, we need to up our game. That is what agencies like the Tourism Promotions Board were made for,” Salceda said.
In the past week, Singapore confirmed that it gave grants worth millions for the show, which they see would benefit the city-state's “tourism sectors such as hospitality, retail, travel and dining.”
This comes after Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin alleged the city-state made an exclusive deal, claiming that the Singaporean government offered a grant worth between US$2 million to $3 million (over P112 million to nearly P170 million) to hold all the Eras Tour shows in Southeast Asia.
Swift's sold-out Singapore show will take place from March 2 to 9 at the country's National Stadium.