Aside from breaking records, this year’s Extraordinary Travel Festival in Bangkok, Thailand also saw the launch of the ETF/AB Magellan Travel Index (MTI.)

The MTI is a revolutionary initiative which aims to redefine how travel achievements are measured and celebrated.

ETF founder Ric Gazarian said of the MTI: “It not only celebrates the legacies of historical explorers but also shines a spotlight on the extraordinary achievements of today’s global travelers. This index is a tool to inspire and challenge adventurers around the world.”

The launch of the MTI cast the spotlight on the world’s top travelers, announcing the five most accomplished explorers based on the inaugural ETF/ABS Magellan Travel Index rankings. 

These trailblazers are Michael Runkel (Germany), João Paulo Peixoto (Portugal), Thomas Buechler (Switzerland), Harry Mitsidis (UK/Greece), and Pawel Krzyk (Poland).

What does the ETF/ABS Magellan Travel Index do?

Named in honour of the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, The MTI is designed to track and quantify the accomplishments of modern-day travelers. 

Magellan’s legacy as the first leader of a circumnavigation of the globe resonates deeply with the ethos of today’s explorers, who continue to push the boundaries of discovery and adventure.

The MTI centres on three key objectives:

• Celebrate Achievement: The MTI recognizes extraordinary travel accomplishments, fostering a sense of community and inspiration among global explorers.
• Promote Exploration: By honoring figures like Magellan and modern adventurers, the index bridges the past and present, encouraging a spirit of curiosity and bravery.
• Set a Global Benchmark: Created by ABS in partnership with ETF, the MTI aims to establish a universal standard for evaluating travel achievements.

The MTI is based on two main factors, each given equal weight: Quality of Travel, which is determined by how many regions one has travelled based on their membership among Most Travelled People, NomadMania, and the Travel Century Club; and Quantity of Travel which is evaluated with the use of four key points:

• UNESCO Sites: number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites (WHS) visited.
• Tentative List: number of sites on UNESCO’s Tentative List visited.
• Capitals: number of capitals of countries and territories visited.
• Borders: number of land or sea borders crossed.

The launch of the MTI at the ETF is a tribute to the evolving nature of travel. From reaching remote corners of the globe to engaging with diverse cultures, today’s explorers carry forward the torch of historical figures like Magellan.