Taylor Swift performs at SoFi Stadium, Getty Images.
The Chief Executive of Hong Kong, John Lee Ka-Chiu is determined in his leadership role to bring the city back as it used to be and beyond in terms of boosting tourism.
Hong Kong leader's latest move was his pledge to bring superstars such as the singer, Taylor Swift to the city for a concert. He said this will need a huge effort to achieve and emphasised that the Tourism Board might fill the gap and make the city more attractive.
He said on Thursday “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".
At a question and answer session on Thursday with lawmakers, the Hong Kong leader was responding to one of the legislators on how the government could give more support to attract top artists to Hong Kong.
He said “We will fight for that, but it is like asking someone to go on a date during the process. “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". He said, 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”.
Additionally, the top government adviser, Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee in her question, said the city is missing out on the recent world tour by superstar, Taylor Swift.
Chief Executive of Hong Kong SAR, John Lee Ka-Chiu
Lee added that although the role of the Tourism Board was crucial, other government bureaus and departments had roles to play.
It is known that Swift’s Asian dates for her 2024 world tour only included Japan and Singapore, which left fans elsewhere in the region disappointed.
Also, British alternative rockers Coldplay left Hong Kong on their tour but have performed in Singapore and will also play in Thailand.
In addition, other questions that were raised concerned the appeal to the government to build venues capable of hosting world-class events.
Chief Executive 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.
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.
Finally, he thanked lawmakers for their support for the “mega-event economy” and appealed for different sectors to join forces to make it a reality.
香港行政長官表示，需要社會各界共同努力，將泰勒絲等藝術家帶到香港舉辦演唱會
香港行政長官李家超決心在他的領導下，讓這座城市恢復昔日的面貌，並在促進旅遊業方面取得更大的進步。
香港領導人的最新舉措是承諾邀請歌手泰勒·斯威夫特等超級巨星來港演出。 他表示，這需要付出巨大的努力才能實現，並強調旅遊局可能會填補這一空白，並使這座城市更具吸引力。
他週四表示，「我非常支持，我會推動在香港舉辦不同的活動，包括提到的世界著名流行歌手來香港開演唱會」。
在周四與立法者舉行的問答 會上，香港領導人就政府如何提供更 多支持以吸引頂級藝術家來到香港的問題向一位立法者做出了回應。
他說：“我們會為此奮鬥，但這就像在這個過程中要求某人去約會一樣。” 「我可以給他們打電話，但首先要看他們是否有時間和我談談，以及來香港是否符合他們的整個計劃。
“我們將繼續努力。”
但他強調，政府能否成功吸引知名人士將取決於正確的「天時、地利、人和」的結合。
此外，政府最高顧問葉劉淑儀在提問中表示，香港錯過了超級巨星泰勒絲最近的世界巡迴演唱會。
李補充說，雖然旅遊局的角色至關重要，但其他政府決策局和部門也可以發揮作用。
據了解，斯威夫特2024年世界巡迴的亞洲日期僅包括日本和新加坡，這讓該地區其他地區的歌迷感到失望。
此外，英國另類搖滾樂團酷玩樂團在巡迴演出中離開香港，但已在新加坡演出，也將在泰國演出。
此外，提出的其他問題涉及呼籲政府建造能夠舉辦世界級活動的場館。
執行長表示，「像雪梨歌劇院這樣的地標建築」將能夠引起人們的興趣並促進該市以活動為基礎的經濟。
李同意香港在主要場館方面必須“做得更好”，並補充說，位於灣仔的香港會議展覽中心和機場附近的亞洲國際博覽館幾乎已全部使用。
他表示，計劃將城市的場館空間增加40%，但這一目標需要時間才能實現。
李補充說，靠近中國大陸邊境的北方都市將使該城市擁有主題空間和更大容量的場館。
他表示，18個區還可以開發自己的主題和長期景點。
最後，他感謝立法者對「大型活動經濟」的支持，並呼籲各界共同努力，使其成為現實。
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