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Opinion
Mike Rowse
Mike Rowse
How a truly ‘mega’ event in Hong Kong could silence Article 23 critics
- Hong Kong has a plethora of events lined up this year, but can any really be classed as blockbusters?
- A real show-stopper would lure people from around the world and counter the Western media narrative that the city is no longer safe for foreigners to visit
Television viewers of a nervous disposition might have been shaken recently by local news coverage of two Michaels. I was one and the lead singer of the Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger, was the other. The contrast could not have been sharper: one in his mid-70s and retired into relative obscurity 15 years ago, the other turned 80 still strutting the stage and wowing audiences worldwide.
What linked them was an event some 20 years ago, the entertainment spectacle known as HarbourFest. I represented the government in the role of sponsor, Jagger was the star of the show. The organiser was the American Chamber of Commerce.
What dragged the historical saga into current affairs was Singapore’s success in bringing modern pop music phenomenon Taylor Swift to perform in the city state, to the exclusion of all other locations in the region, including Hong Kong.
Local commentators and politicians have been quick to claim our rival was usurping Hong Kong’s role as an events capital. The annual Formula One grand prix held there was another example of Singapore eating our lunch. The local administration, always sensitive to any criticism it might be falling short, was quick to rush out a list of so-called mega events to prove we were still a major force.
One of the quoted items was the football match featuring Inter Miami, which starred the world’s top player Lionel Messi. Unfortunately, when the day came, he sat on the bench for the full 90 minutes looking bored and not even wearing his boots. At least Jagger performed.
02:14
Singapore Taylor Swift concert draws fans from every corner of Southeast Asia
Singapore Taylor Swift concert draws fans from every corner of Southeast Asia
While fans here howled for refunds, Swifties were preparing to fly in from far and wide to Singapore to watch her concerts. The contrast was just too much and revived memories of the 2003 events. An in-depth examination of all these aspects produces some interesting findings.
I have never knowingly listened to any of Swift’s songs but am assured by the family’s expert on such matters – my daughter – that they are brilliant and her live concerts are amazing. But, with few exceptions, the peak earning season of such stars tends to be quite short, hence the drive to maximise income during the window of opportunity.
Swift reportedly sought and secured a substantial subsidy from the Singapore government, possibly amounting to several million US dollars. The Singaporean government has denied the specific sum reported but defended the principle. They are both right to do so.
The whole point of holding a mega event is to move the needle, show that your city or country is something different and encourage people to visit who might not otherwise come. Singapore is a major international business centre but it is also perceived as being a bit dull. Splashing out a substantial sum to do something daring helps move the needle. The exclusivity clause is standard industry procedure. The Macau casinos have been applying it against us for years.
03:36
‘Bad luck’: Messi says having to sit out Hong Kong friendly was ‘unfortunate’
‘Bad luck’: Messi says having to sit out Hong Kong friendly was ‘unfortunate’
My main conclusion after studying the government’s list of over 80 mega events is that virtually none qualify for the description of “mega”. My second conclusion is that it doesn’t matter, and it is irrelevant whether Messi actually played. What the list proves beyond a doubt is that Hong Kong is a dynamic business city where something interesting is always happening.
The list in question includes conventions, trade exhibitions, sporting events and other miscellaneous activities, most of which will be held outdoors and are effectively open to all. Almost without exception, these events are important. They are enduring, repeated year after year.
Their significance lies in the entirety of the collection and its breadth and depth, rather than focusing on the merits of each individual item. Many attract visitors every year, others might be of interest to people who were coming here anyway but will not create fresh reasons for coming.
I am not convinced everyone in the administration has a clear idea of what a mega event is. For example, the Chubby Hearts display – floating large red heart-shaped balloons – was no doubt of interest to young couples here, especially close to Valentine’s Day. But nobody outside Hong Kong, assuming they had heard of the idea at all, immediately rang their travel agent and booked flights and a hotel.
The LIV golf tournament at the Hong Kong Golf Club, involving some of the best golfers in the world and a deep-pocketed fan base, might qualify. However, earlier this year, it did not feature on the Tourism Board website of forthcoming events.
As a matter of interest, Hong Kong did hold preliminary discussions with Formula One authorities 25 years ago about the possibility of hosting a grand prix, but the minimum profit sought by the organiser was well beyond anything the government was prepared to guarantee. There were tentative talks about where and when to hold the event, but the money was just too big a stumbling block.
We will need a genuine mega event soon. Once Article 23 security legislation is enacted, the foreign media will be full of stories about Hong Kong not being safe for foreigners to visit. The best way to counter this narrative will not be with “wolf-warrior diplomacy” but something so spectacular that everyone in the world will want to come and see it for themselves. We must put our thinking caps on and be prepared to spend big.
Mike Rowse is an independent commentator
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