Bangkok, Thailand, December 16, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / The Extraordinary Travel Festival, the premier event celebrating the art and spirit of exploration, is thrilled to announce that Tommy Sabbatical, the renowned YouTuber and global adventurer, was a surprise speaker at this year’s event in Bangkok.
Sabbatical had been arrested and then detained for over two weeks in Birobidzhan located in the far east of Russia. Sabbatical had been originally scheduled to speak at the ETF but was taken off the schedule upon his detention by the Russian government. Sabbatical was released just days before the start of the Extraordinary Travel Festival, deported to China, and hastily made his way to Bangkok for the event.
Sabbatical took to the stage in a surprise appearance to share his story of travelling in Russia, his arrest, his detention, and eventual release. It was a tale of caution and fear of the unknown. Sabbatical described his arrest by the FSB (the KGB successor) as an entirely bogus and contrived stunt.
Extraordinary Travel Festival organizer, Ric Gazarian stated “not many conference organizers have to juggle a speaker line-up where there is a risk of a speaker being abruptly arrested preventing them from appearing at the event.”
You may watch Sabbatical’s overview of his false imprisonment and eventual release.
About Tommy Sabbatical
Tommy, the creator behind the wildly popular Sabbatical YouTube channel, has captivated audiences worldwide with his immersive storytelling, linguistic talent, and passion for uncovering lesser-known corners of the globe. With over 700,000 subscribers and 114 million views, Tommy’s content highlights his unique ability to connect with people and cultures through travel and language.
About the Extraordinary Travel Festival
The Extraordinary Travel Festival brings together travelers, adventurers, and explorers from around the globe to celebrate the spirit of discovery. Through engaging talks, workshops, and networking opportunities, the festival fosters a community of like-minded individuals passionate about exploring the world.
For more information about the Extraordinary Travel Festival, visit www.extraordinarytravelfest.com
