Celine's cancellation a loss for residents

Some residents of the Halifax Regional Municipality will be disappointed that Celine Dion will not be coming to town next summer to perform in concert

Those who are not should be.

Despite the rants of some, Dion's music is popular and she has a huge, loyal fan base.

Had Halifax been able to host a Dion concert, there is no doubt it would have attracted a significant crowd from around Atlantic Canada.

Many people were not impressed when the Dion concert was announced, just like many were not impressed when the Rolling Stones concert was announced.

There is one certainty in the music industry - you can't please everybody. Certainly Dion appeals to a different demographic than the Rolling Stones - and that's not a bad thing.

She has sold more than 200 million albums, putting her neck-and-neck with Madonna for the title of top-selling female recording artist of all time.

Last year, Dion's 147 performances at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas generated $78 million in ticket sales at an average price of $135.33.

Those numbers placed her as 2006's seventh biggest revenue-generating music act, according to the Los Angeles Times.

It's a shame that those who would have liked to hear Dion in concert will not get the chance. It's a shame that the local hospitality industry will not reap any spinoff benefits from the event.

All in all, it adds up to another missed opportunity for Halifax.