Music has quietly become one of the most powerful forces shaping travel choices among young Indians. Airbnb’s new Experience-Led Travel Insights 1 reveal that Gen Z are increasingly planning trips around live concerts and festivals, turning gigs into gateways for discovering new cities, extending stays and spending time exploring local neighborhoods well beyond the main event.
For this generation, travel decisions are being driven less by calendars and more by culture. Live events and IRL experiences influence where they go, who they travel with and how deeply they engage with the destination.
Amanpreet Singh Bajaj, Airbnb’s Country Head for India and Southeast Asia said, “Growing interest in music concerts and festivals has paved the way for a new kind of traveler – someone who sees music as a gateway to discovering new destinations. At Airbnb, we’re seeing how concert tourism is opening up entire neighborhoods and communities to young travelers, and the meaningful impact this creates. This emerging form of exploration is reshaping traveler behavior, driving a rising demand for stays that allow groups to spend time together, gather comfortably, and create memorable shared experiences which is perfectly aligned with what Airbnb offers.”
In 2026, music is set to play an even bigger role in shaping travel behavior, with 62% of Gen Z planning trips around concerts and music festivals. This intent is already reflected in their current behavior: more than one in three (36%) start planning their trip as soon as they hear of an event.
Unlike traditional travel patterns driven by seasonality, holidays or long weekends, young travelers are prioritizing experiences. Their top motivations include the chance to explore a new destination and the excitement of being part of a once-in-a-lifetime cultural moment.
A clear indication of how central music is to travel for young Indians: how they are willing to cross literal oceans to watch their favorite artists perform live. Over 40% are willing to travel internationally for an event, with destinations across the USA (48%), Europe (45%) and the rest of Asia (46%) featuring equally in their consideration.