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Like sport, food, and fitness, music has quickly shifted from being a niche segment of the tourism industry to become one of the most popular reasons for why people travel around the world.
Emerging as a key travel trend in recent years, so-called “gig-tripping” is on the rise, thanks to a growing number of international festivals and the huge success of world tours from the likes of Taylor Swift, Coldplay, Beyoncé and Oasis.
These days, music fans don’t just want to book a ticket to watch their favourite acts in their home towns or countries. They are ready to pack their bags (and/or guitar), plug in their earphones, choose the playlist, and then hit the road for an international tour of their own.
According to data from Skyscanner, around 60% of travellers would consider going abroad for a concert or festival, while more than half of Gen Z and millennials are planning music-related trips.
The wider music tourism market is also booming, with Forbes calling it “one of the biggest travel trends” and industry estimates suggesting it could grow from around $100 billion in 2025 to more than $400 billion by 2032.
Music tourism “isn’t just a cultural trend”, it’s an “economic force”, wrote Justin Reid, Senior Director of Global Partnerships Solutions of Tripadvisor in Advertising Week. “It’s reshaping travel and changing the ways consumers are choosing to spend their money.”
A roadmap for music tourism
Against this chart-topping popularity, a new US-based platform, Music Roadtrip, is tapping into the rise of the trend by turning gig-tripping into fully curated travel experiences.
Launched in early 2026, Music Roadtrip is a free app that offers a map-based way to explore destinations through their musical identity. It brings together more than 100,000 concerts, festivals and live music events alongside venues, record stores and cultural landmarks.
Users can build itineraries that go beyond the headline concert – incorporating stops at iconic venues, artist-related sites, music museums and even album cover locations.
The app also integrates practical travel tools, including ticket access, dining and nightlife recommendations, and transport options, allowing users to plan entire trips around a single show or festival.
A plus for travellers seeking more from their musical trip, curated local guides highlight the best music-focused experiences in each destination, from historic recording studios to live shows from up-and-coming local artists.
For now, Music Roadtrip is just focused on destinations across the US, but as music tourism and gig-tripping continues its global growth, fans could soon see it topping the app charts in their own countries around the world.
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