Country Music Tourism Continues to Thrive Globally
Country music continues to resonate strongly with international travelers, with millions of people visiting iconic destinations and attending concerts or festivals worldwide.
From neon signs and live concerts along the “Honky Tonk Highway” on Lower Broadway in Nashville, Tennessee, to emerging country scenes across Europe, this distinctly American genre has become a major driver of global tourism.
Major festivals like CMA Fest, held for four days every June in Nashville, or C2C: Country to Country in cities like London, Glasgow, and Berlin, continue to attract an international audience.
Furthermore, country music’s influence on mainstream pop culture has further boosted its appeal.
This evolution is exemplified by Taylor Swift’s journey, from being discovered at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville to becoming a global phenomenon and a powerful tourism influencer through her record-breaking Eras tour.
Tay-Tay’s success on the road was so significant that “Swiftonomics” became a trending topic worldwide, not only in entertainment media but also in the business world.
With the Guinness World Record for the highest-grossing music tour in history, The Eras Tour featured 149 concerts in 51 stadiums, spanning 19 countries and five continents between March 2023 and December 2024. With over 10 million tickets sold, it generated around $2.07 billion in revenue.
Dolly Parton’s SongTeller: New Hotel in “Music City”
It’s no surprise that Nashville is nicknamed “Music City.” In Tennessee’s capital, country music fans can explore attractions like the legendary Grand Ole Opry and the historic Ryman Auditorium, often called the “Mother Church of Country Music.”
To delve deeper into the genre’s rich history, visitors can also visit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum or the Legends of Country Music Museum.
With so much to see and do in Nashville, it’s only fitting that visitors have a place to stay to continue their Music City exploration. And this summer, a new hotel is set to make waves.
Scheduled to open in mid-June 2026 in downtown Nashville, Dolly Parton’s SongTeller Hotel pays tribute to the life and legacy of one of country music’s most popular and influential stars.
Each room has its own theme, from Acoustic suites displaying her guitars to the Six Sisters suite dedicated to her family. Guests can enjoy concerts at venues like Parton’s Live and Jolene’s, as well as a dining experience inspired by Southern cuisine.
The hotel will also house the “Dolly’s Life of Many Colors” museum, showcasing iconic costumes and rare artifacts from her successful career.
“Broadway has become a true tourist center, so it was the right time to bring something special to all this excitement in Nashville,” she explained last year when announcing the new hotel.
“I have always dreamed of being able to create something here in Music City, and I know we have found the perfect fit for the city, which I consider my home.”
“Nashville Nights” Cruise to Launch in 2027
Country fans can experience the spirit of Nashville beyond Music City.
Next year, a “Nashville Nights” cruise themed around country music and exclusively for adults will be launched by Cruise.co.uk in partnership with Ambassador Cruise Line.
Starting at £489 (€565) per person, this four-night cruise without flights aboard the Ambassador’s 1,400-passenger ship, the Ambience, will depart from Tilbury on March 25, 2027, with stops in Zeebrugge (Bruges) and Amsterdam before returning to the UK.
Onboard, passengers can participate in country music quizzes, themed dinners, “silent disco” nights, fitness sessions, line dance classes, and open stages for aspiring songwriters.
Tribute bands to Johnny Cash, Shania Twain, Lainey Wilson, and Luke Combs will headline the entertainment lineup, along with live acts like The Charmed and Britt & The Backbeat. Additionally, the traditional gala evening will be replaced by a “Denim & Diamonds” party, aligning with the country theme.
