TZ Viagens: Brazilian Travellers Aged 60+ Drive Growth in International Travel

Brazilian travellers aged 60 and over are becoming increasingly prominent in the tourism market, reshaping the type of holidays they purchase. Research by TZ Viagens, based on sales from more than 300 agencies across 24 states, shows an approximate 18% rise in passengers in this age group between 2024 and 2025.

The review covers both full years and only customers aged 60 or above. Of all trips sold to this audience, 60% were to international destinations, while 40% remained within Brazil. Portugal, Italy and Spain rank among the most sought-after countries, followed by Turkey and Mediterranean cruises.

Domestic travel and demographic change among Brazilian travellers aged 60+

Within the domestic market, demand is focused on destinations that bring together good infrastructure, cultural attractions and easier travel arrangements. Gramado, Foz do Iguaçu, the Serra Gaúcha region, cities in north-east Brazil and cruises along the Brazilian coast frequently feature in the network’s records.

This growth reflects Brazil’s changing demographics. The country had 34.1 million people aged 60 or over in 2024, a figure 53.3% higher than that recorded in 2012, according to the IBGE. For those reaching 60, average life expectancy extends by a further 22.6 years, creating more scope for new plans, experiences and consumer choices.

Flexible travel dates and long-held plans

In tourism, this shift is also evident in the dates chosen for travel. Greater flexibility in their schedules allows some of these travellers to depart outside school holidays and long weekends, when destinations are less crowded and, in some cases, commercial terms differ.

Some bookings also reach agencies after years of planning. They may involve a first trip to Europe, a wish to visit the family’s country of origin, or an itinerary postponed because of work, financial or family circumstances.

International travel becomes part of holiday plans

“For a long time, travellers aged over 60 were associated with short, domestic and occasional itineraries. The data reveals a different picture. They travel more, explore overseas destinations and are willing to invest in experiences that, in many cases, have been planned for decades,” says Paulo Manuel, CEO of TZ Viagens.

Choosing an international destination also makes planning more complex. Documentation, insurance, connections, the location of accommodation, travel between cities and the pace of the itinerary all need to be arranged before departure.

In this context, the agency operates less as a straightforward booking channel and more as a source of planning and guidance. Travellers may approach an adviser after researching prices, reading reviews and looking at a range of accommodation and excursion options.

Technology, therefore, does not remove this customer’s involvement in making choices. On the contrary, many clients arrive at agencies already informed about the destination and with alternatives they have researched. What they need is help assessing those possibilities and creating a trip suited to the passenger’s profile.

A lower fare, for instance, may include an unsuitable connection. A highly rated hotel may be far from the main attractions. An itinerary covering many cities may require frequent transfers and walking, changing the overall travel experience.

This is precisely where consultancy has a role. The professional must understand the passenger’s profile, assess the options and build an itinerary that matches their budget, preferences and travel pace.

Group travel regains popularity

Group trips are also among the options sought by this audience. This format brings together part of the planning, provides support throughout the journey and creates opportunities for passengers to socialise.

For solo travellers, a group can offer a way to meet other people during the itinerary. For families, that accompaniment may also provide greater predictability in situations requiring support while travelling.

“Technology has expanded access to information, but it has not removed the risk of making a poor choice. This customer researches, compares and takes part in the decision. The agency’s role is to turn this volume of information into a coherent, safe and achievable trip,” Manuel says.

Consultancy also becomes more important for journeys representing a personal ambition. A first international trip or an itinerary planned for years carries expectations that begin before the flight is purchased and continue through the choice of every stage of the route.

Bookings, documents, suppliers, timings and transfers are all part of that preparation. The more complex the itinerary, the greater the number of decisions that must be made before departure.

This trend does not mean that all travellers aged over 60 behave in the same way. The group includes different profiles, interests, budgets and approaches to travel. However, the growth in international holidays shows that some of this audience is adding new destinations to its repertoire and using flexible schedules to decide when and how to travel.

This behaviour is not unique to the so-called silver economy. Families with children, honeymooning couples, groups of friends and passengers interested in complex itineraries all turn to agencies to organise their investment and reduce risks. For travellers aged 60+, the growth recorded by TZ Viagens adds an important development: six out of every ten trips sold by the network to this audience now have an international destination.