While younger generations are helping fuel the recent boom in free independent travellers (FITs) roaming the globe, silver travellers are still making their mark on tourism, travel, and hospitality the world over.
The topic of silver travellers is important enough in terms of tourism and hospitality economics to be discussed at events like the TDM C-Suite Travel Trade Global Summit and ITB China 2025. International experts highlight the significant impact of older travellers on the global economy through booking flights, tours, cruises, and hotel stays.
According to reports from Grand View Research and BusinessWire, the older traveller segment was valued at $1.72 trillion by the end of 2024, with expectations to reach around $2.62 trillion by the decade’s end. For 2025, this market is projected to be worth approximately $1.84 trillion.
Market Share
From cabin fever to globetrotting
The silver travellers segment is currently worth nearly $2 billion, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.3%. The pandemic years instilled a sense of cabin fever in many older adults, propelling their desire to travel again. Those who entered their 60s during this period are seeking well-deserved getaways after decades of work, often with significant disposable income from pensions and ample time for travel.
Growth
Why the elderly choose to travel
Staying healthy is a key motivator for many over 55 to travel. Reports indicate that wellness tourism accounted for 34.3% of the silver market’s total earnings as of the end of 2024, driven by the need for health and wellbeing through specialized treatments in locations such as Bali, Phuket, Portugal’s Douro Valley, and Tenerife, Spain.
Trends by Region
Which region’s seniors are doing the most travelling?
The majority of travelling seniors hail from the Asia Pacific, with over-60s from the region comprising 54.9% of the total travel market last year. This is largely attributed to the sizeable older population in East Asia and Singapore, who maintain the financial power and health to explore beyond their home borders.
Tourists
Other key demographics
Individuals aged 50 to 60 represent the largest segment of the older traveller market, seeking luxurious, adventurous, and wellness-focused itineraries that encompass multiple destinations in one trip.
