Ric Gazarian joined the opening keynote panel, “The Psychology of Meetings & Corporate Travel,” at IT&CM Asia and CTW Asia-Pacific on 22 September 2026. Held at the Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld, the discussion examined why people travel and meet in person, and what those experiences mean beyond their practical purpose.
Ric Gazarian has visited 190 of the 193 United Nations member states. In an interview at IT&CM Asia and CTW Asia-Pacific 2026 in Bangkok, he explained how a corporate layoff led him to set out to visit them all.
Gazarian, also known as GlobalGaz, said he used the package he received when he lost his job to begin travelling. He subsequently set himself the target he calls “Chasing 193.” Only Turkmenistan, Malta and Ireland remain. Turkmenistan has been the difficult one: Gazarian said he has tried to enter since 2016 and has been denied a visa several times. He has explored other routes to gaining entry, but none has worked so far.
He said he could visit Malta or Ireland without the same difficulty. Ireland, however, has been reserved as the final country for around ten years. Gazarian sees it as a fitting place to celebrate completing the journey.
His own work connects people with a shared interest in ambitious travel. He hosts the Counting Countries podcast, which features conversations with travellers who have visited, or are working towards visiting, every UN member state. Through GlobalGaz, he also publishes travel writing and photography, focusing on less visited destinations. He has written three travel books and produced two adventure documentaries.
Gazarian is also co-founder of the Extraordinary Travel Festival, which brings travellers together to exchange stories and advice. Following editions in Yerevan in 2022 and Bangkok in 2024, the festival is scheduled to return to Bangkok from 22–25 October 2026.
For Gazarian, completing the 193-country goal now hinges on Turkmenistan. If he can make that visit, he plans to make Ireland the 193rd country.
