Taylor Swift's Exclusive Singapore Deal

Swift performs six dates in Singapore, only stop in SE Asia

Mega superstar Taylor Swift has begun her six-date tour in Singapore and it has been revealed that the Lion City government paid her to not perform in any other Southeast Asian city.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong explained this during a press conference in Australia.

"Our agencies negotiated an arrangement with her to come to Singapore and perform and to make Singapore her only stop in Southeast Asia. I don't see that as being unfriendly," he said.

He added the deal was a "very successful arrangement".

Swift would probably say the same.

Lee did not disclose how much money was paid to Swift, but national broadcaster CNA reported Singapore paid between US$2 million to US$3 million for her six dates in the Lion City.

Other Southeast Asian governments were unhappy, such as Thailand, the Philippines and probably Hong Kong.

Hong Kong's "Chubby Hearts" campaign

That's because Swift can significantly enhance a local economy. For example when Swift performed four dates in Tokyo, the local economy was boosted by an estimated US$228 million, according to a report from Japanese research firm EconomicImpact.net.

Last month Singapore's tourism board and culture ministry defended the money paid for Swift's concerts, saying in a statement that the shows were likely to "generate significant benefits to the Singapore economy, especially tourism activities such as hospitality, retail, travel and dining."

Meanwhile Hong Kong spends US$1 million to have big "Chubby Hearts" balloons designed by Anya Hindmarch posted around the city in a bid to entice tourists to come...