I would surmise the denial was due to the combination of factors you mentioned, not just the lack of travel history alone.
Some applicants get approved even without a travel history - but other factors that show greater ties to the home country - such as non-liquid assets in the country such as ownership of land, business, and also the employment history and record of continued employment in the home country.
Age may also be a factor - as a senior with no travel history is less likely regarded to enter Canada's labor force, rather than a young, single individual who can enter it. So to dispel any doubt due to age - you have to load the proof of ties to home country, such that the VO will not take age as a factor and instead focus on those proofs.
Remember, the application is for a temporary residence visa or visit visa - and thus CIC expects that visitors will not use the visitor entry to the country as an opportunity to immediately enter into employment without going through the much thorough WP application process.