7 year old James Meconi will be the World’s youngest person to visit all sovereign countries in the world!
Preston born James Meconi is set to become the youngest person to hold the Guinness World Record for visiting all the sovereign states in the world (total of 196 countries).
James (known as Jamie) and his mum Hayley never set out with a world record in mind they just had wanderlust in their souls and after losing James’s father, when he was a 6 month old baby, they realised just how precious life actually is. Time is such a precious commodity and comes with no guarantee so they decided to make the most of life, to explore the world.
Hayley wanted Jamie to have wonderful memories and experiences that only travel could bring and for him to see the value of living life with no regrets. To live life with intention, and to enjoy it to the full. She wanted her son Jamie to grow with joy in his soul and love in his heart. For him to learn about the different cultures and people, to embrace everything.
Travelling opened their eyes to whole new perspectives, cultures, religions and traditions,. Life was no longer just black and white but was a rainbow of colour and diversity.
Jamie’s adventures have seen him plant trees in the Borneo rainforest and to help build a school In Tanzania. The fundraiser for Tanzania provided education materials, essential medical supplies and a safe place for 100’s of children. He has raised awareness and funding for the children of the Omo Valley tribes in Ethiopia and this is just the beginning…
At 7 years old Jamie is almost 75 countries into his world record attempt and has learnt so much already.
His mum Hayley Meconi said
“I have watched my little human grow into the most wonderful and kind little boy and I am so incredibly proud to be his mum. We have built a whole lifetime of memories together and now we share more precious moments with my new husband too. Life is not always perfect, but we are and always will be our perfect”
When asked where his favourite country is James said
“I loved going on safari in the Serengeti and seeing the big 5. I also got to experience living as Masai warrior and that was an amazing time”
Over the next few months Jamie will visit Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia , Bulgaria , Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Vietnam and Cambodia to check these off his list.
Trips are also planned to Indonesia and Thailand before the first quarter of 2024 ends.
There is no pressure to complete the World Record by a certain date as Hayley believes it’s not about the final destination but about the journey the family now take together.
“Our journey with travel began 7 years ago with the most the most tragic of starts when Jamie’s dad sadly gained his angel wings at just 36 years young and Jamie was only 6 months old.
I was working full time and had a long commute to work in rush hour traffic which combined with long working days that meant, with no wider family support, she would have struggled to have been the hands on mum Jamie needed and deserved . Jamie had already lost one parent so Hayley wanted to ensure she would be present to hear his first words and to see him take his first tiny steps .
I discovered a way where I could turn my passion for travel into a pay cheque . I found an affordable way into the travel industry and I have now helped over 19,500 families across the globe earn a commission by getting started with their own sustainable home based travel business.
I co founded making travel pay with one of my closest friends Hayley Light who sadly passed away last year. Her memory and our brand will live on as will she forever in our hearts
I have been able to generate a multiple 6 figure annual income which fully supports our family’s love for travel and for us globe trotting around the world. We would love to hear from anyone who may be open to learning more and ask them to check out our website and Instagram links.”
James is open to sponsorship opportunities and is currently being sponsored by Moncler.
You can find out more about Jamie’s journey to become a world record holder here
https://www.makingtravelpay.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/travelqueenuk/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/hayley.france.9
