The Extraordinary Travel Festival (ETF) is set to return to Bangkok from 22 to 25 October 2026, and this year's lineup includes a name that resonates far beyond the travel community: Denis Gray, the former Associated Press bureau chief who spent more than three decades reporting from the Thai capital.
Gray, who covered nearly 40 countries and 20 conflicts—including the Vietnam War, the Iraq invasion, and the Rwandan genocide—will bring a unique perspective to the festival. His career, which began after he fled Czechoslovakia as a child and later served as a US Army captain, has been defined by a relentless pursuit of stories that shaped the modern world.
At ETF, Gray will present his memoir, Lost Horizons: A Foreign Correspondent's Extraordinary Life Story, offering attendees a rare glimpse into six decades of frontline journalism. His presence underscores the festival's commitment to celebrating exploration in all its forms—not just geographic, but also historical and human.
A gathering of the world's most travelled
Now in its third year, ETF has become a magnet for extreme travellers, including those who have visited all 193 UN-recognised sovereign nations. The 2026 edition promises a packed schedule with over 40 speakers, networking parties, and a gala dinner, designed to foster connections among a community that measures life in passports stamps and border crossings.
Ric Gazarian, co-founder of ETF, described the festival as "a celebration of exploration and human connection," adding that Gray's career epitomises that spirit. "Denis has witnessed history unfold from the front lines, and his stories remind us that travel is not just about places, but about understanding the world and our place in it," Gazarian said.
The festival's Bangkok setting is no accident. The Thai capital has long been a hub for travellers and a gateway to Southeast Asia, and it continues to strengthen its position as a MICE destination. Recent developments, such as YOTEL's first Thailand property in the Cloud 11 hub, and the recognition of Bangkok's Capella and Four Seasons in the 50 Best Hotels 2026, highlight the city's growing appeal for both leisure and business travel.
For travel professionals, ETF offers more than inspiration. It provides a platform to engage with a niche but influential segment of the market—clients who prioritise authentic, off-the-beaten-path experiences. As the industry shifts toward more meaningful travel, events like this help agents and operators understand what drives the most adventurous travellers.
Gray's keynote is expected to be a highlight, drawing on his experiences in Vietnam, where he returned as a journalist after his military service, and his decades of reporting from Bangkok. His memoir, which he will sign at the festival, traces a life that spans continents and conflicts, offering lessons in resilience and curiosity that resonate with anyone in the business of travel.
Tickets for ETF 2026 are on sale now, with a discount available using the code BANGKOK. The festival aims to inspire all travel enthusiasts, regardless of their own achievements, by bringing together a community of passionate explorers in a city that embodies the spirit of travel.
As Bangkok continues to cement its status as a global travel hub—with Skål Bangkok marking 70 years of industry networking and rivalry intensifying among Southeast Asian MICE destinations—the festival adds another layer to the city's dynamic travel ecosystem.
For those who cannot attend in person, the festival's growing reputation suggests it will be a key date on the 2026 calendar for anyone serious about the future of travel.
