Hong Kong leader John Lee says concerted effort needed to woo top stars such as Taylor Swift and bring them to city for shows
- Chief Executive John Lee says luring superstars such as Taylor Swift is like ‘asking someone on a date’ and that hard work required
- He adds he will strive to attract top acts to city and that Tourism Board can offer one-stop shop to help concert promoters
Hong Kong leader John Lee Ka-chiu has vowed to try to bring superstars such as singer Taylor Swift to the city to perform, but compared it with “asking someone on a date” and emphasised it needed major effort.
Lee added the Tourism Board might be in a better position to offer one-stop shop support to concert organisers to streamline the process and make the city more attractive.
“I am very supportive and I will drive for different events to be held in Hong Kong, including what was mentioned about world-famous pop stars coming to Hong Kong to hold a concert,” Lee said on Thursday at a question and answer session with lawmakers, the first of the year.
He was speaking after legislator Judy Chan Kapui asked the government to give more support to attract top artistes to Hong Kong.
“We will fight for that, but it is like asking someone to go on a date during the process,” he said. “I can give them a call, but first it depends on whether they have time to talk to me and whether coming to Hong Kong is in line with their entire plans.
“We will continue to work hard.”
But he emphasised government success in attracting big names would depend on a combination of the right “time, place and people”.
Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, a top government adviser, earlier grilled authorities over missing out on concerts by stars such as Swift during their world tours.
Lee added that although the role of the Tourism Board was crucial, other government bureaus and departments had roles to play.
Swift’s Asian dates for her 2024 world tour only included Japan and Singapore, which left fans elsewhere in the region disappointed.
Hong Kong to attract more top acts such as Taylor Swift, Beyoncé: tourism chief
British alternative rockers Coldplay will also skip Hong Kong Hong Kong on their tour, but have performed in Singapore and will also play in Thailand.
The 90-minute discussion on Thursday was divided into two parts. The first focused on how to attract more major events to Hong Kong and how to use them to lure more visitors, as well as improve the experience for tourists.
Legislators that raised questions included Sunny Tan, the chairman of the Hong Kong Productivity Council, who appealed to the government to build venues capable of hosting big events.
He said landmark structures “like the Sydney Opera House” would be able to generate interest and promote the city’s events-based economy.
Lee agreed that the city had “to do better” on major venues and added that the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Centre in Wan Chai and the AsiaWorld-Expo near the Airport were almost fully utilised.
He said there were plans to boost the amount of venue space in the city by 40 per cent, but the target would take time to achieve.
Why is Hong Kong missing out on Taylor Swift and other stars? Industry blames venues
Lee added the Northern Metropolis near the border with mainland China would allow the city to have a themed space and also venues with bigger capacities.
He said the 18 districts could also develop their own themed and long-term attractions.
Lee thanked lawmakers for their support for the “mega-event economy” and appealed for different sectors to join forces to make it a reality.
“To revitalise the economy based on large-scale events, in terms of the role, the government is the screenwriter and producer,” Lee said. “But it is the organisers and various sectors who have to act out the script, including operators and workers in the tourism, catering and retail service industries.”
He added it was down to the market to come up with new products and ways to attract and retain visitors, in addition to encouraging residents to spend in the nighttime economy.
“I believe Hong Kong’s operators and workers are very capable – they can show the elements that make Hong Kong proud and successful once again,” Lee said.
