Published on
February 17, 2026
Image generated with Ai
The Extraordinary Travel Festival 2026, set to take place in Bangkok, Thailand, from October 22–25, will introduce a groundbreaking keynote speaker who will transform the event’s conversation on travel. For the first time, the festival will feature a North Korean defector, whose escape from one of the world’s most repressive regimes offers an inspiring and harrowing look at travel as an act of survival and defiance.
This year’s festival promises to expand the conversation on travel by highlighting not just the joy of exploration, but the human struggle for freedom. While the festival has traditionally focused on extreme adventures and milestone travel accomplishments, the addition of this keynote speaker will shift the dialogue to include those for whom travel is not a choice, but a desperate need to escape tyranny and oppression.
Travel as an Act of Defiance and Survival
The Extraordinary Travel Festival has always been a space where adventurers and explorers share their tales of pushing boundaries and achieving extraordinary feats. However, the inclusion of a North Korean defector as a keynote speaker introduces a new layer of complexity to this conversation. This individual’s journey is a profound example of travel not as a luxury, but as a necessary means of survival. In their case, travel was an act of resistance, a way to break free from a brutal dictatorship that controls its citizens’ every move.
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Defection from North Korea is fraught with unimaginable risk. The speaker’s escape involved leaving behind everything familiar: family, home, and an entire life. They embarked on a perilous journey through hostile and unfamiliar territories, where every step could mean capture, torture, or even death. Unlike many travelers who set out on journeys to explore, this individual’s escape was driven by the need to find safety and freedom—goals that many of us take for granted.
A Journey Rooted in Courage and Hope
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Born and raised in one of the world’s most isolated and authoritarian countries, the speaker’s decision to defect was not a simple one. In North Korea, any act of defiance is met with brutal consequences, including imprisonment, forced labor, or execution. Yet, despite the enormous risks, they made the decision to leave in search of freedom—a decision that required unimaginable courage.
The journey to safety was long and dangerous. After crossing borders and navigating treacherous terrain, they found themselves living in constant fear of being discovered by authorities. Their story serves as a testament to the strength of the human spirit, the yearning for freedom, and the lengths a person will go to in order to escape oppression.
In their memoir, The Courage to Die, the defector details their experiences and the mental and physical toll of their journey. The book offers a rare and intimate look into the realities of life under the North Korean regime and the immense sacrifices involved in seeking asylum. This personal account underscores the stark difference between elective travel and the life-or-death decisions that some must make in order to survive.
Travel: A Right, Not a Privilege
The organisers of the Extraordinary Travel Festival 2026 are rethinking what travel truly means. For many, it is a privilege—a chance to visit new places, experience different cultures, and expand horizons. But for others, as highlighted by this keynote speaker, travel represents something much deeper. It is not about sightseeing or leisure; it is about the basic human right to move freely and escape oppression.
In their keynote address, the defector will remind festival attendees that, for millions of people worldwide, the freedom to travel is not an option but a dream. A dream that is denied by governments that restrict movement, control borders, and trap people within their own countries. Their story adds urgency to the festival’s mission by showing the powerful role that travel plays not only in personal discovery but in fighting for personal freedom.
A Diverse Lineup of Thought Leaders and Explorers
While the keynote address by the North Korean defector will be a highlight, the Extraordinary Travel Festival 2026 will feature over 30 other speakers, each offering unique perspectives on extreme travel and the human experience. These individuals, who range from seasoned travelers to pioneers of the modern travel world, will provide attendees with inspiration and insight into the evolving nature of global exploration.
The festival will also offer a rich programme of cultural activities, breakout sessions, and social gatherings designed to create connections among travelers, thought leaders, and industry professionals. A gala dinner will serve as a gathering point for attendees to reflect on the discussions of the day and celebrate the transformative power of travel.
In addition to the speakers, representatives from Travel Massive, Pangea, Every Passport Stamp, and NomadMania will be in attendance, contributing to the event’s dynamic atmosphere. These global networks represent diverse travel communities that will bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and insight to the table, helping to shape the future of the travel industry.
Travel as a Catalyst for Change
The inclusion of the North Korean defector as a keynote speaker signals a shift in the focus of the Extraordinary Travel Festival. The 2026 edition will not only celebrate the thrill of adventure but will also address the profound impact that travel can have on human rights, freedom, and personal empowerment. It will encourage attendees to reconsider the role of travel in society—not just as a form of exploration, but as a tool for resistance and liberation.
As global travelers and adventurers, it’s easy to overlook the barriers that millions of people face when it comes to movement. This festival will shine a light on the fact that, for some, travel represents a struggle for survival. It’s not about leisure; it’s about the basic human need for autonomy and the pursuit of safety and freedom.
A New Perspective on Travel
By inviting this North Korean defector to speak at the Extraordinary Travel Festival 2026, the event is reaffirming its commitment to fostering deeper conversations about the meaning of travel in today’s world. It’s not just about collecting passport stamps or crossing off destinations from a bucket list; it’s about understanding the social, political, and human dimensions of mobility.
As the countdown to October 2026 begins, the Extraordinary Travel Festival will serve as a platform for exploring the power of travel to shape the world—whether that’s through thrilling expeditions or stories of survival. It will challenge us all to rethink what it means to move across borders, and to consider how travel can empower us all to break free from the systems that limit our potential.
