An Analysis Of Singapore’s National Interest In The Exclusive Hosting Of Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22303/pir.10.2.2025.121-131Keywords:
Competitiveness, Monopoly, Exclusivity, Economy, SingaporeAbstract
In an increasingly competitive global landscape, countries are racing to develop strategies to maintain their competitive advantage, including through the entertainment and tourism sectors. This study addresses the issue of how national interests can drive a country—such as Singapore—to pursue monopolistic strategies in hosting international concerts. The purpose of this research is to analyze Singapore's national interests behind its effort to secure a monopoly over Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour as the sole host in Southeast Asia. This study employs a discourse analysis approach, using data collected from policy documents, official news sources, and relevant government statements. The findings reveal that concert exclusivity has a significant impact on Singapore’s economy, tourism sector, and the enhancement of its soft power. These impacts are reflected in the increase in regional tourist visits, state revenue from the entertainment industry, and Singapore’s international image as a global event hub. This strategy further strengthens Singapore's position as a strategic actor in the regional and global entertainment landscape. The study offers important implications for international relations scholarship, particularly in the context of cultural diplomacy and the creative economy as instruments of foreign policy.
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