Extreme travelers gather in Lisbon for world record certification

Over 100 people who have visited all 193 UN-recognized countries met near Lisbon on June 6, 2026, for a gathering organized by Most Traveled People (MTP). The community, which includes platforms like MTP and NomadMania, certifies travel records based on passport stamps, selfies, and metadata. Charles Veley, founder of MTP, started the platform in 2005 after failing to enter Guinness World Records. The first person to visit all countries was Rauli Virtanen in 1988; by 2000 fewer than 20 had done so, but now over 500 have, with nearly 200 in the last three years. Travelers compete to complete lists of countries, regions, and UNESCO sites, often using credit card points or savings. Notable attendees included Thor Pedersen, who visited all countries without flying over 10 years on $20/day, and Lucy Hsu, a teacher who uses credit card rewards. The event highlighted the competitive nature of extreme travel, with one traveler, Hongyu Yang, rushing to Kiribati days before to gather proof of visit. Most travelers are wealthy or have flexible jobs, though some claim to travel cheaply. The community also organizes group trips and events for funding.