The Extraordinary Travel Festival (ETF), the gathering of the world’s most adventurous and accomplished travelers, is excited to announce Roberto Helou, known online as Explorob, as a featured speaker for ETF III, scheduled for October 22–25, 2026 in Bangkok.
Roberto Helou is a French-Lebanese cyclist, filmmaker, and environmental activist with a massive and engaged following (380K+ on Instagram as @explorob). His journey is defined by epic overland adventures, sustainability, and storytelling. After leaving his studies in environmental engineering and audiovisual communication, Helou dedicated himself to exploring the world, founding Plastic Free Lebanon to fight plastic pollution while embracing zero-waste and ecological travel.
Raw and human stories
One of his most remarkable undertakings: cycling from Cairo to Cape Town, capturing raw and human stories across Africa, highlighting issues of culture, sustainability, and shared humanity. This expedition became the foundation for his YouTube mini-series and Instagram storytelling, bringing light to environmental and social realities often unseen.
“Roberto Helou embodies sustainable exploration and creative courage,” said ETF co-founder Ric Gazarian. “He teaches us that travel is not just about distance, but about connection—with people, landscapes, and the planet itself.”
At ETF III, Helou will share insights drawn from his life on the road, including:
- Long-distance overland cycling strategies
- Capturing travel stories through film and photography
- Environmental activism and sustainable travel
- Building human connections across diverse communities
- The mental and physical discipline required for epic journeys
Inspiring the community
The festival will bring together hundreds of elite travelers—country collectors, adventurers, explorers, and storytellers from around the globe. Among its 20+ speakers, ETF III will spotlight individuals pushing the boundaries of what travel means in a deeply connected world.
“Our vision for ETF is to inspire a community rooted in curiosity, creativity, and purpose,” Gazarian adds. “Roberto’s approach to travel — methodical, artistic, and environmentally aware — is an ideal example of what it means to live adventurously and responsibly.”
ETF III will feature keynote talks, breakout sessions, film screenings, cultural events, and social gatherings, culminating in a gala dinner.
