Tan Kin Lian's Blog: Poor ticket sales

Monday, August 16, 2010

Poor ticket sales

It is sad to read about the poor ticket sales for the Youth Olympic Games. The underlying cause is the high cost of living, which requires people to work hard to earn enough to pay off their loans. They cannot afford to pay for tickets to watch sports and arts events. They also have no time, after working long hours.

Many community events have to give away free tickets and goodie bags to attract retirees and grassroots leaders to attend. This state of affairs has been happening in Singapore for more than two decades. When will our leaders wake up and recognize the weakness of the Singapore economic model?

9 comments:

Unknown said...: the papers today reported that 80% of the tickets have been sold. dont know to believe or not.; August 16, 2010 9:09 AM
SD said...: 80% sold, but never say sold to who.; August 16, 2010 10:11 AM
yujuan said...: Can't find the time nor have the inclination or mood to care to watch the Games, even when given free tickets.; August 16, 2010 10:36 AM
Spur said...: I think at least 70% bought by MOE to get students & teachers to attend, whether they want to or not. I have heard of some schools & polytechnics offering the students option between attending YOG or serving 8-10 hrs of community service.

Another about 15%-20% either bought or given to various govt organisations like ministries, stat boards, grassroots organisations etc. Whether re-sold or given to staff, members is another question. Whether they are voluntary or forced also another question.

IMO, even a mild suggestion such as CEO or MD sending out email stressing on staff to buy tickets & attend is tantamount to "forcing", even though ultimately up to the staff to risk it. In 20 yrs of working life, I have seen too many emails from senior mgmt along the line of "I will be attending this once-in-a-lifetime occasion. And I would like to see many of you there to support as well."; August 16, 2010 1:04 PM
JRT said...: I am local Singaporean

Am i proud that Singapore host the YOG? My answer is No

In fact, the YOG has given me inconvenience on the roads, and also at east coast park

Not forgetting the S$300m spent in this game. SOmehow i have this feeling that when its reported S$300m, the actual figure could be doubled of that. Afterall, there is no accountability and nobody can check their books. It's up to any magical figure they wish to pluck from, isn't it?

My wife cannot even be bothered, we didn't even talk about it at all

Frankly, this YOG is what the PAP wants, and not what most Singaporeans want. A good and clear indication is the poor ticket sales.

Naturally PAP will use this YOG to promote they are world class leaders and henceforth able to bring a world class event to Singapore in the next GE (but before that, they will use it to justify their pay increment); August 16, 2010 1:19 PM
Parka said...: The underlying cause is not the high cost of living.

Majority of Singaporeans I believe can easily afford a YOG ticket.

It's the worth/value of that ticket that's the cause.; August 16, 2010 5:24 PM
C H Yak said...: The money spent could build a new state of art polytechnic campus...which will last a few generations.; August 16, 2010 5:25 PM
anon said...: "They cannot afford to pay for tickets to watch sports and arts events. They also have no time, after working long hours."

Well, I disagree partly with the statement. Generally the quality and/or choice of offering of arts and sports events in Singapore is poor.; August 17, 2010 6:34 AM
Ed said...: I have been to one of the games at Kallang Tennis Centre and I can say that almost 80 - 90% of the spectators were primary school children in their uniforms accompanied by they teachers. Most of them were more interested in talking than paying attention to the ongoing sporting event.; August 18, 2010 1:58 PM