Maharashtra emerges as event tourism hub, Airbnb report flags surge in travel demand

Concerts, sporting events and cultural festivals are rapidly reshaping travel patterns in Maharashtra, driving longer stays, higher spending and broader participation in local tourism economies, according to a new report by Airbnb.

The report, Unlocking Maharashtra’s Event Economy: Powering Tourism and Local Communities, highlights how large-scale events are positioning the state as a key hub for event-led travel in India.

According to the findings, concerts in Mumbai, including performances by global acts such as Coldplay, led to a 100% year-on-year increase in nights booked, while guest check-ins surged 170%, as travellers increasingly converted events into multi-day trips.



Also Read: Airbnb India bookings jump 50% in December quarter

Sporting events have also played a significant role. During the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 matches hosted in Maharashtra, nights stayed rose 50% year-on-year, with guest check-ins increasing by nearly 75% around match windows.

Music festivals, too, have emerged as major demand drivers. The Lollapalooza India 2026 recorded a more than 50-fold jump in bookings in Mumbai, with the festival weekend accounting for over 80% of total bookings in January, the report noted.

The report also pointed to a shift in travel behaviour, particularly among younger travellers, who are increasingly planning trips around events. On average, such trips cost around ₹51,000, with a significant share of travellers allocating 21–40% of their monthly income towards music-led travel.

Industry estimates cited in the report suggest that for every ₹1,000 spent on a concert ticket, an additional ₹1,500–₹2,000 is spent across accommodation, transport and local businesses, amplifying the economic impact on host cities.

“As demand peaks during major events, flexible accommodation options become critical to support visitor inflows while enabling local communities to benefit,” said Amanpreet Bajaj, Country Head for India and Southeast Asia at Airbnb.


Also Read: Airbnb insights reveals how music-led experiences are shaping India’s Gen Z travel culture

The company added that in 2025, Airbnb-enabled travel contributed over $832 million to India’s economy and supported approximately 222,000 jobs across sectors.

Experts say Maharashtra’s strong infrastructure, connectivity and growing pipeline of global events place it in a favourable position to anchor India’s expanding experiential travel economy.