Brazilian luxury tourists seek domestic travel, isolation, and nature

When the epidemiological situation in Brazil and the world started to show signs of improvement, many believed that the reopening of the borders would be marked by a boom in international travel and a strong re-socialization that was repressed for two long years.

But the reality is that the habits acquired by tourists during the pandemic are being maintained, transformed, and brought new priorities for Brazilian travelers.

Latin Exclusive, an international company for vacation rentals and luxury real estate sales, was surveyed between December 2021 and March 2022 to understand the preferences and trends of luxury tourism for this year.

In Luxury Travel Report 2022, the agency consulted consumers in the luxury market, including CXOs, directors, vice presidents, CEOs, CFOs, CTOs, CMOs, founders, partners, and owners of Brazilian companies with revenues of at least R$100 million (US$21 million).

It was observed that 64% of the interviewees still consider the pandemic restrictions when deciding on a new travel destination.

The research also points out that consumers in the luxury travel market still elect as a priority more private options during their stays and leisure activities, where a particular social distancing may exist.

For example, it is possible to highlight choices such as family activities (45%), private tours in specific places of interest (41%), private swimming pools (39%), deserted beach stretches (32%), and places more distant from large centers and secluded (32%).

Meanwhile, only 8% of respondents plan to take tours in large groups, showing a more restrained behavior among luxury tourism consumers. Daily accommodation services, such as housekeeping, are also a significant request, with more than 60% of respondents appreciating this particularity.

DOMESTIC TOURISM

In addition, a significant trend in this sector was analyzed: domestic tourism.

Even with the opening of borders abroad and the greater possibility of going anywhere outside Brazil, people opt for trips within the country. Approximately 40% of people are planning domestic trips.

The proximity to nature on trips also proved to be a significant trend for the coming months, with 59% of respondents showing more interest in this search for tranquility and calm.

But, despite this, they also do not want to miss out on the culture (56%) and the local cuisine (70%) of their chosen destinations.

“We see the trends analyzed in our day-to-day bookings. Today, the most sought-after destinations for our clients are still the Northeast, especially Bahia, and Rio de Janeiro, with more secluded and refugee homes in large centers being the most requested,” says Arnaud Bughon, CEO of Latin Exclusive.

“Since the beginning of the pandemic, we see a strong movement in demand for places closer to nature, with tranquility, comfort, and luxury. Faced with this challenging health situation that we are still going through, many people realized that it was possible to take more leisurely trips and, in a way, enjoy this seclusion. It will be a trend that we will still see present until the first half of 2022, as we gradually readapt to the return of social interaction,” he concludes.