I find the meaning of my life in traveling and meeting new, interesting people

Introduce yourself in a few words.
Hello, my name is Martin Majdrakov. I am a managing partner at 'IBS Bulgaria', I own the restaurant 'Taj Mahal' and I am the CEO of 'MaaS Bulgaria' AD. For a year now, I have also been the owner of villas in Bali, where I am starting a larger project and I hope for many more future endeavors.

The strange thing is that as a student I hated geography – it was boring to me. And now, from empirical experience, I can say that I have learned an incredible amount. I find the meaning of my life in traveling and meeting new, interesting people. So far, I have visited 117 countries, not just once. In my mind, I have specific plans for at least another 50.

For you, traveling the world is...?
An active lifestyle without which I cannot live. Honestly, if I don't have planned trips, I lose motivation and cannot mobilize myself. I feel best when I travel. For 2023, one of my financial applications showed that I have been to 36 countries – not just new ones. Because of my new business, in the last year I have been to Bali three times, a total of about six months, which slightly limited my ability to visit many new places.

How many different countries have you seen so far? Share an interesting story or highlights from your travels.
So far I have been to 117 countries. Since I am a bit of a 'crazy head', I can tell interesting stories for days. I don't have boring trips – something happens on every one.

I have one trip to Palawan Island in the Philippines during the first COVID lockdown, where I spent 4 months in a future resort by the sea. I had a great time. I was featured on most TV channels because I had built an office in the sea – that was the only place with internet. The principle I followed was: when life gives you lemons – make lemonade.

Do you like to repeat destinations? Give examples and motivation 'for' or 'against'.
When I like a place, I have no problem visiting it again. I don't chase numbers – I just love to travel. Many countries deserve a second read. Indonesia has 17,000 islands, the Philippines – 7,600. A few lifetimes wouldn't be enough to explore them all. I have been to Bali over 10 times, multiple times in Zanzibar, Thailand, the USA... I don't like to 'check off' countries – I want to create memories and friendships.

What was your first trip that truly changed you as a professional and can be said to have changed your thinking?
My first exotic trip, personally organized by me, was to Cuba. Every subsequent trip has also changed me. When a person travels, they step out of their daily problems and comfort zone. Most good ideas for my businesses have come to me during travels.

What do you learn about yourself and your professional skills when you are in a new cultural environment?
The main thing is that there are no impossible things. I meet many successful people in different ways and draw experience from their lives. I am interested in the culture and customs of every country I visit – this way I accumulate positive experiences.
The media often create a false impression of entire nations. When you visit a place without prejudice and get to know the local way of life, you understand that people around the world are generally good. Certain events can change that, but not human nature.

Have you met people or ideas during your travels that have influenced your career path?
Constantly. Sometimes I travel with a Dubai agency that organizes trips to more dangerous or hard-to-reach places. The people I meet there are Emiratis, Saudis, or expats living in the Emirates – very different and inspiring personalities from whom I learn a lot.

Do you think your travels help you expand your professional network? How?
Of course – whether the trip is business or personal, every new contact can be useful in some way.

What skills do you develop the most when you travel, and how do they affect your work?
My perception of the world completely changes. I see how different countries do the same things in different ways. Even in so-called 'less developed countries', you can learn something useful.

Is there a city or country that inspired you to start a new business or project?
Bali inspired me a lot, even though the first three times I was there, I ended up in the hospital for various serious reasons. The island is alive – it's no coincidence that it's called the Island of the Gods. If you feel it outside the commercial context, you can learn a lot about yourself.

When you are in an unfamiliar country, do you feel more motivated or more distracted? Why?
I feel mobilized. I want to see as much as possible. When the eyes are full, there is no fatigue. I wake up early and go to bed late.

Are there destinations that act as a 'restart' for your creativity and ambition?
Indonesia and the Philippines. I often cite Bali, but I would also add these two destinations as extremely inspiring.

How do you manage the balance between work and pleasure when you travel?
I wake up early and do my work before everyone else gets up. I don't leave anything for tomorrow. I can't imagine letting work pile up and reading 1000 emails after a week. I travel everywhere with my computer – even at base camp on Everest or in Antarctica.

How have travels changed the way you perceive the value of money?
Money is just a means to realize dreams. Accumulating it as an end in itself makes no sense. I like the thought that the only money that is yours is the money you have already spent.

Do you travel to find new ways to make money?
Not really. But sometimes it happens naturally during the trip itself.

What lessons about financial independence have you learned from different economies and cultures?
In Europe and the USA, we are slaves to money. We put shackles on ourselves to be part of a society that tells us what we should have. Example: in Zanzibar, if a person doesn't work, they will still find fruit, fish – there is no electricity, no water to pay for. There, exploitation cannot happen so easily.
Another example – Bali. Balinese people believe in karma and reincarnation. If something is not done today, it will be done tomorrow, next month, or even in the next life. This brings a calmness that is lacking in us.

Do you think it is better to spend on experiences rather than material possessions?
Yes. I only enjoy material things for a few days. Without magnets and small souvenirs from countries, all my luggage could fit into two suitcases.

How do you see the future of digital nomadic life?
I am not a fan of working in an office. A lot of time is wasted there – commuting, social breaks. I prefer to work until noon, looking at the sea, rather than being locked between four walls.

Are there specific countries that are more favorable for work and investments?
It depends on a person's goals. There are many such countries – even Bulgaria is one of them.

If you could choose one place in the world to develop your next big idea, what would it be and why?
I have already chosen it – Bali. I want to spend at least six months a year there and in the region. All of Asia is a maximum of 3 hours flight away and offers many opportunities.

What are the destinations you would definitely recommend visiting and why?
Bali – for spiritual growth. Tibet, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Malaysia. I really like Asia. The USA also needs to be seen – I am planning a long road trip there.

What is the career advice you would give based on what you have seen around the world?
You cannot expect brilliant ideas from a person who simply goes to work from 9 to 5. We need to step out of our comfort zone. Overloaded commitments do not make us more useful – they just don't leave us time to look from the outside. My favorite thought is: 'Life is what happens around us while we make plans for it.'