Concerts and live events industry can only recover 50% of pre-pandemic revenue in 2022

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, combined business and entertainment events contributed almost RM1.2bil to the economy in 2019. – 123rf.com

WITH proper support, the live events industry, including concerts and shows, can contribute significantly to the tourism sector.

Such live events are part of the “experience economy” which fuels hotels, food and beverage businesses, travel and the retail industry, says Association of Arts, Live International Festivals and Events (Alife) R. Para.

“Before the Covid-19 pandemic, combined business and entertainment events contributed almost RM1.2bil to the economy in 2019.

“We are projecting that it would at least hit half this number this year, or about RM600mil. We expect it to surpass the 2019 mark in 2023.

“But we need a joint effort by all parties and stakeholders to achieve these projections,” he tells Sunday Star.

Moving forward, Para believes that it would be “priceless” if the government would endorse the industry as an essential business and recognise the social and cultural impact that it has.

“Events bring people together and promote unity and happiness.

“Currently, the government is only focused on regulating and not facilitating the players in our industry.

“This is unlike other sectors like construction and manufacturing where big steps have been taken by the government to facilitate growth.

“During the pandemic, the government handed out grants to certain events and we appreciate the help.

“But we need sustainable measures and guidelines so the industry can develop independently and not depend on grants and government assistance,” he says.

Malaysian Artistes Association (Karyawan) president Datuk Freddie Fernandez says concerts help to promote Malaysia’s image as an international tourism destination.

“Such events will greatly add value to government efforts to attract foreign investments and tourist arrivals into the country.

“Any negative publicity about Malaysia being a country that disallows concerts without valid reasons will only serve as a great setback to efforts to revive the sector after two years of inactivity due to the lockdown.

“It will also encourage overseas tourists to give Malaysia a miss in favour of our neighbours like Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines.

“Such countries are all engaging in aggressive promotional efforts to attract tourist arrivals and foreign investment,” he says.

Efforts to revive the industry would be jeopardised if there are problems with concerts, he says, in response to PAS Youth recently saying it will protest all international acts in Malaysia.

On a separate matter, Fernandez calls for clubs and other venues to pay entertainers for performances and not expect them to collect fees from patrons.

“Now that live entertainment is allowed, most clubs have gone back to paying musicians and singers to perform at their outlets.

“However, there are a few outlets that still take advantage of the situation and do not pay for their live entertainment.

“We feel that given the recovery of this sector, this practice has to stop and all clubs and outlets should pay their entertainers properly,” he says.