| Photo courtesy of Luisa Yu
NEW YORK — At 81 years old, Luisa Yu has proven that dreams know no age limit. The Filipina American adventurer was recently recognized at the Global World Traveler Awards for completing a journey that few in history have achieved: visiting all 193 United Nations–recognized countries. Her feat, decades in the making, has turned her into a symbol of resilience, representation, and inspiration for travelers and immigrants worldwide.
Based in Miami, Yu made history in 2023 by completing visits to all 193 United Nations–recognized countries, a feat achieved by fewer than 500 people in recorded history. Rather than retire from travel, she continued pursuing high-risk expeditions at an age when many have long stopped adventuring. Over the past year alone, she explored destinations such as Afghanistan, Somalia, Turkmenistan, Ethiopia, Tajikistan via the legendary Pamir Highway, and Chad’s remote Ennedi Desert — where she camped for several days in harsh desert conditions.
“Just go”
Yu’s story began in Tacloban, Leyte, where she was born, before she moved to the United States as an exchange student at age 23. Like many immigrants, she balanced the responsibilities of building a life in a new country with the quiet pursuit of her own aspirations. Over the course of five decades, she steadily checked countries off her list, often traveling alone and relying on the kindness of strangers. “If you wait for someone to go with you, it might never happen,” Yu told the Philippine Consulate in New York earlier this year. “Just go. Explore the world. It’s so beautiful out there—and people are usually kind and willing to help.”
Her journey culminated in November 2023, when she arrived in Serbia, her final country. Friends persuaded her to save Serbia for last, planning a surprise celebration for her arrival. “They said, ‘You’re gonna have to come to Serbia because we will be flying. We are very close too and we’re going to celebrate your last country.’ It was a big surprise,” Yu recalled. Standing before fellow travelers and dignitaries, she described the moment as “a dream come true.”
Cultural Ambassador
The Global World Traveler Awards honored Yu as a trailblazer, recognizing her courage and determination. Organizers highlighted her role as a cultural ambassador, connecting communities across continents and inspiring others to embrace curiosity and adventure. Yu’s recognition follows other accolades, including the Nomadmania Most Positive Award (2022), which celebrated her uplifting influence on the global travel community.
At a historic gathering of elite travelers, the 2025 edition of the NomadMania Travel Awards brought together over 100 “UN Masters” — adventurers who have visited every country in the world. Four individuals who have completed a second full round of all UN countries and one luminary who achieved the “Grand Slam of Travel” (all UN countries, both Poles, and space) also participated, highlighting the global scale of exploration excellence.
Yu’s achievement has also resonated deeply within the Filipino diaspora. In March 2025, the Philippine Consulate General in New York welcomed Yu during Women’s Month, praising her as a living testament to Filipino resilience and the power of lifelong dreams. Consul General Senen T. Mangalile noted that Yu’s journey reflects the values of perseverance and cultural pride that continue to inspire Filipinos worldwide.
Yu now stands as one of only two people ever to win multiple NomadMania titles, having previously earned Most Positive Traveler in 2022. She joins famed traveler Thor Pedersen, who completed a no-flight journey to every country and won the Biggest Traveler in 2022 and Best Travel Book in 2025.
Filipina Americans in Global Spaces
Beyond the awards, Yu’s story carries a broader message. She represents the countless immigrants who, despite challenges, carve out paths of fulfillment and impact. Her travels have not only expanded her horizons but also amplified the visibility of Filipina Americans in global spaces often dominated by younger or more privileged travelers. “Even though some places were considered dangerous, I said, ‘I think I can do this. I want to see these places with my own eyes because there’s a lot of history and culture that happened there,’” Yu explained.
As she stood on stage at the Global World Traveler Awards, Yu embodied the spirit of adventure and the courage to dream boldly. Her recognition is more than a personal accolade—it is a celebration of Filipino heritage, immigrant perseverance, and the universal human desire to explore and connect. For communities across the world, Luisa Yu’s journey is a reminder that it is never too late to chase a dream, and that every step taken can inspire generations to come.
In addition to Yu, four Filipino World Travelers were named finalists in other major categories, such as:
- Kach Umandap – Most Purposeful Traveler, the youngest Filipino and first to visit every country using solely a Philippine passport, driving initiatives to empower Filipino youth to secure remote work opportunities.
- Odette Ricasa – Best Travel Book, for It’s All in the State of Mind, following her own milestone of visiting all countries in 2022 as the 1st Filipino to do so.
- Wyatt Maktrav and Kaila de los Reyes – Biggest Low Passport Index Traveler, marking Wyatt as the youngest person ever to visit all European UN countries at 12 years old, together with his single mom, Kaila.
