Hong Kong must be ‘relentless’ in efforts to lure music stars, John Lee says

Requested whether or not Hong Kong would contemplate related preparations, the chief govt on Tuesday stated authorities would guarantee public cash was properly spent, including he was conscious of the extraordinary competitors for main live shows and the possibly big financial advantages.

“Amid Hong Kong’s fierce competitors with different cities which were striving to enhance themselves, we’ve to be relentless in our efforts to lure mega occasions together with matches, sports activities occasions and cultural occasions,” he stated forward of the weekly assembly of the important thing decision-making Govt Council.

“We all know properly they are going to convey great financial advantages and assist increase Hong Kong’s picture and attractiveness.”

Hong Kong chief John Lee says massive effort wanted to attract star performers to metropolis

Lee stopped in need of explaining his administration’s methods, saying its efforts would differ relying on the “precise circumstances”.

Mega acts akin to Taylor Swift, Coldplay and The 1975 have all skipped town on excursions which embrace locations akin to Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand.

International information shops on Sunday revealed the supposed providing of an unique deal, citing Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin who stated Swift live performance promoter Anschutz Leisure Group knowledgeable him of a proposed association, price as much as US$3 million, between the corporate and the Singaporean authorities.

The deal purportedly said that the American singer-songwriter wouldn’t have the ability to carry out in any Asean nation aside from Singapore.

Hong Kong is just not a part of the 10-member Affiliation of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) commerce bloc.

Pop icon Swift will carry out at six sold-out reveals at Singapore’s 55,000-seat Nationwide Stadium subsequent month as a part of her Eras Tour.

The Hong Kong authorities has been touting town’s mega-event financial system, with Secretary for Commerce and Financial Growth Algernon Yau Ying-wah saying on Monday that it was set to surpass pre-pandemic ranges by the top of this yr.

However current government-backed mega occasions have been caught up in controversies.

Earlier this month, Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi sat out a recreation performed in Hong Kong, leaving tens of hundreds of followers outraged and confused.

The organiser had utilized for HK$16 million (US$2 million) in authorities sponsorship, however later withdrew its software amid the controversy over Messi failing to play.

Hong Kong to draw extra prime acts akin to Taylor Swift, Beyoncé: tourism chief

On Monday, the soccer legend launched a two-minute video on mainland Chinese language social media, saying hypothesis that politics was concerned was completely unfounded and that he hoped to fulfill his Chinese language followers in particular person once more.

Earlier this week, the federal government revealed that it contributed about HK$7.8 million (US$997,285) to an open-air artwork set up of big heart-shaped balloons displayed across the metropolis, sparking requires extra transparency to make sure taxpayer cash was properly spent.

Lee on Tuesday stated Hong Kong welcomed 1.4 million vacationers throughout the eight days across the Lunar New Yr vacation this month, with 87 per cent coming from the mainland.

He predicted that progress in customer numbers would proceed this yr, pledging to ramp up capability for the tourism sector by addressing bottlenecks in transport, aviation and catering.

Lee additionally stated it was “regular” for the variety of outgoing journeys by Hongkongers throughout the current Lunar New Yr vacation interval to surpass that of incoming journeys by vacationers, attributing it to post-Covid “revenge” journey and the deepened integration between town and the mainland.