Foundation says Bad Bunny concerts will leave over $200 million economic impact

Some $170 million in revenue out of an estimated $215 million economic impact from Bad Bunny’s musical residency will flow into San Juan alone, a recent study says.

By The Star Staff

The Foundation for Puerto Rico has issued a study that found that the highly anticipated musical residency of Bad Bunny, which will take place from July 11 to Sept. 14 in San Juan, will leave a $215 million economic impact.

The Foundation says about $170 million of the revenue will flow into San Juan alone. The residency is also expected to create more than 2,000 temporary jobs. So far there are more than 30,000 reserved nights at hotels.

The concerts have triggered an increase of more than 140% in searches for accommodations on the Airbnb platform for those dates, compared to the same period in 2024.

The destinations with the greatest growth in searches include Vega Baja, Guaynabo, San Sebastián, Cayey, Manatí and Mayagüez, reflecting a shift in tourism beyond the capital, Airbnb noted in a press release.

The trend also reflects a strong connection with the Puerto Rican diaspora. The U.S. cities with the most searches for Puerto Rico are New York, Orlando and Chicago, all with significant Puerto Rican communities.

Internationally, the countries most interested in visiting Puerto Rico during the residency are the United States, Puerto Rico, Spain, Mexico, Canada, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Chile, France and Ecuador.

According to Airbnb, the cultural events allow more communities to benefit from tourism outside of traditional destinations. In fact, nearly 50% of hosts in Puerto Rico are using the platform to generate income amid rising costs of living. In 2023, guests staying through Airbnb generated $1.4 billion in economic impact, supported more than 25,000 jobs, and generated more than $815 million in wages, not including direct income for hosts.

Platforms such as Airbnb also promote authentic experiences, with nearly 90% of hosts on the island recommending local restaurants and cafes, more than 50% suggesting shops or boutiques, and 60% encouraging visits to areas less known to tourists.

The platform reiterated its support for a uniform regulatory framework for short-term rentals across the island and its willingness to collaborate with the Puerto Rico Tourism Company to establish clear rules for hosts, guests and authorities.