KMT Kaohsiung mayoral candidate Ke Zhi-en (柯志恩) has proposed giving city
residents priority access to concert tickets, a suggestion Mayor Chen Qi-mai
(陳其邁) today dismissed as a "whimsical idea."



Ke said she's given the proposal much thought, and consulted leaders in the
entertainment sector, including pop star A-mei's manager Chen Zhen-chuan
(陳鎮川).

Drawing on their practical experience, she proposed the "Concert Economy 2.0"
initiative, which includes offering venue rental discounts to encourage
real-name ticketing systems and establishing a mechanism to monitor hotel
accommodation prices.

Ke stressed that while major concerts attract fans from outside Kaohsiung and
generate substantial economic benefits, local residents also bear the costs
of traffic congestion, environmental pressures, and disruptions to daily
life.

She said the city government should consider how to protect residents'
opportunities to attend concerts while continuing to expand tourism-related
economic benefits.

Mayor Chen, on the other hand, said candidates should better understand the
complexities of the concert industry before putting forward policy proposals.

(JL)