Walid Elmusrati
The Happiest Traveler Redefining Storytelling
By Sofia Lava
Known to his global audience as “The Happiest Traveler”, Walid Elmusrati has built more than just a following, he has built a movement of joy, curiosity, and authenticity in the world of travel content creation. From hidden islands to bustling cities, his journey is not just about destinations, but about the stories and emotions that connect us all.
“Happiness, for me, is waking up in a new place with childlike curiosity, ready to be surprised. It’s gratitude for the cultures, people, and stories I get to discover, and the energy comes from knowing every journey is a privilege. Everyday life already has its struggles, and I believe people don’t always want to see more problems. I stay real by sharing the true situations I face on the road, but joy grows when it’s shared. My storytelling is my way of passing that happiness on to others.”
“My creative process starts long before I hit record, it often takes months, sometimes years, of planning. Many of the places I choose aren’t easy to access, and that challenge only makes me more determined. If there’s a story I believe needs to be told, it has to be done. My peak joy is when I finally arrive, whether it’s in Dubai, Switzerland, or Japan, and I can say to myself: I did it. That moment of achievement is what fuels the storytelling that follows.”
“I started creating years ago, even before the word ‘social media’ became part of our lives. To now see a space like Creators HQ exist in Dubai makes me proud, the UAE has become the home of creators. What inspires me most is the team working day and night to make what never happened in the creator field possible.
For years, people thought we were just having fun, but now the UAE is building a real creator economy that can thrive. Being a founding member is more than a title, it’s a responsibility. My goal is to give back to this land and help more creators experience the life we’re privileged to live here.” “The Faroe Islands truly surprised me. It felt like exploring an unspoiled place, untouched, raw, and breathtaking.
Even the houses, with green grass roofs, blend into the landscape as if they’re part of nature itself. The locals made it feel like a small, close-knit world, and the fact that sheep outnumber humans there says it all. Unlike many trending destinations that lose their soul under mass tourism, the Faroe Islands reminded me what it feels like to discover a place still living in harmony with its identity.”
“I’ve lived in places where I felt like just a number, faced racism, or was constantly reminded I was a foreigner. In Dubai, it’s completely different, everyone is treated with the same respect. That spirit of equality shaped how I see the world; it’s not about where you’re from, but how we connect as humans. Living in such a multicultural hub also means I’m exposed to the world every day without leaving the city.
Dubai inspires me to dream bigger and carry that message of unity and openness in my storytelling. There is no place like home… Dubai.” “A story connects when people feel like they’re traveling with me. Emotions like joy, wonder, or hope don’t need translation. Authenticity is universal. While I’m constantly on the road, I remind myself that many people may only travel once or twice a year.
My responsibility is to make them live the experience with me. I share the full story, less polished, more raw, so people can trust what they see through my lens. When someone tells me they visited a place I featured and truly enjoyed it, that’s the real success of storytelling.” “The biggest lesson I learned was to love myself and value the time I spend alone.
On the road, you realize people may love you for a period of time or sometimes for a benefit, but solitude teaches you to enjoy the moment in its purest spirit. It opens the door to connect more deeply with locals and with the true heart of a place. My trips are never vacations, sometimes I spend eight hours on the road in one day just to film one place. But those challenges taught me something priceless, to appreciate solitude and self-love.”
“Don’t chase trends, chase your voice. Be unique and different, don’t copy others. Travel storytelling isn’t about being better than someone else, it’s about showing the world through your eyes. This field has no manual, no boss, you are your own manager. That means risks, sacrifices, and long hours. But if you stay authentic and persistent, your story will connect. People value honesty more than perfection.”
“What excites me now is exploring destinations that people haven’t seen much of before, the kind of places hidden from the usual maps. Maybe that will take me farther north or south than I’ve ever been, but I want my audience to feel they’re part of that discovery. At the same time, I’m working on something sustainable and long-term that goes beyond trips and content. I can’t reveal all the details yet, but big things are coming, and I want people to feel they’re part of this journey with me.”