Boosting the mega events economy can definitely contribute to enhancing Hong Kong’s international image, yet a “spare no expense” approach to compete for international events to be held in the city requires social consensus, said former Executive Council convenor Bernard Charnwut Chan.
Speaking in a newspaper interview published Monday, Chan said there has been a global trend where everyone is striving to win over international events, regardless of the cost.
He was responding to the Singapore government’s action of paying taxpayer dollars – reportedly up to US$3 million for each concert – to lock in Taylor Swift’s exclusive Singapore deal.
Chan believes that Hong Kong society needs to reach a consensus on whether or not they agree to provide subsidies for such mega events, especially when such events would be higher in price when every country is vying for them.
He said Hong Kong could adopt alternative approaches besides emulating Singapore’s. He cited the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens as an example, which is organized by the private sector with government assistance, and has been highly successful.
Hong Kong United Times丨香港聯合時報丨HKUT 