The smile and good attitude are a universal language everywhere in the world

Introduce yourself in a few words..

My name is Kameliya Dimitrova and I am an expert in public communications, owner and manager of the agency PR Play. I have been in this profession for 25 years and I find it more and more interesting.

For you, traveling around the world is?

Traveling for me is a childhood dream and a way of life.

How many different countries have you seen so far? Tell us an interesting story or highlights from your travels?

I have been to over 30 countries, but I love to revisit places that have impressed me every few years.

Do you like to revisit destinations? Give examples and motivation “for” or “against”?

I really love to revisit destinations. It allows you to see a society in development, to feel the dynamics. Nothing in our life is static and when you are somewhere for a short time, you see more of a snapshot. The speed of change and direction are really interesting to me.

What was your first trip that truly changed you as a professional and can be said to have changed your thinking?

Every trip changes me and leaves some kind of imprint. Encounters with different cultures and ways of thinking give you the chance to look at the world through different eyes. In this sense, Thailand has given me the most so far, and specifically, the Buddhist philosophy. This is a completely different world from the Western one. Ego-centrism, which we are surrounded by, is completely absent. It seems that the understanding of good and evil is different. The people's striving for balance and harmony is truly impressive, as is the feeling of complete acceptance of the different. Something that in our world is rather artificial. There, everyone is truly who they feel they are, without it being a problem for others.

What do you learn about yourself and your professional skills when you are in a new cultural environment?

I learned a lot about myself. I realized that no matter how different they are, people everywhere in the world strive for some universal values like love, family, the pursuit of a better life, acceptance, and understanding. I learned that I can talk to anyone, that I can adapt to almost any environment if necessary. 

Have you met people or ideas during your travels that have influenced your career Vand path?

Of course! I have many friends that I met during my travels and with whom we continued to work over time. And the ideas are really many. The question, however, is not to have an idea or to borrow one from somewhere. In my opinion, to succeed in any business, it is not necessary to do something new and unheard of. The question is to do it better than others. For comparison, we can take making sandwiches – sandwiches are made everywhere, but McDonald's is one. This is the key – to do the same, but in your own distinctive way and better than the rest.

What skills do you develop the most when you travel, and how do they reflect on your work Vand?

In different parts of the world, people communicate through different platforms and applications. The digital world has changed radically in the last few years and I learn something new about my work everywhere. In the field of communications, digital channels are a main tool and I find it very interesting to see how people communicate in them.

Is there a city or country that has Vinspired you to start a new business or project?

In Hong Kong, I was very inspired for a project for tourists in the city. There, even 10 years ago, they had created a great application that contains everything necessary for a foreigner in terms of information and opportunities to quickly orient themselves and do what they want in a completely unfamiliar place. It turned out that Sofia has not yet reached this stage of development for such a project to be truly successful. Then I realized that change must first start from within and cannot be artificially imposed from the outside.

When you are in an unfamiliar country, do you feel more motivated or more distracted? Why?

There is no room for distraction when you are in a new place. On the contrary – it requires concentration and mobilization. This applies, of course, to trips that you organize yourself, as I do. If someone is on an organized tour and is being led, it is probably not the same. I do everything myself and that is part of my pleasure. I feel like an explorer. This is the difference between tourism and travel.

Are there destinations that act as a “restart” for your creativity and ambition?

For me, it is very motivating to be in places that have started from extreme poverty and severe economic and social problems and manage to make an amazing economic boom in 10 or 20 years. These are the countries of Southeast Asia. There, the speed of changes is impressive. And this is evidence that it is possible for a country and a society to make such a leap. Therefore, we can too, at least in theory.

How do you manage with the balance between work and pleasure when you travel?

I have no problem with the balance. The processes happen simultaneously. I personally cannot live if I only do one thing. I always need to have some parallel activities to feel in shape.

How have travels changed the way you perceive the value of money?

Money is a tool to achieve your dreams and it has always been that way for me. I often turn money into plane tickets. Everyone has a different value system and different things are important to them.

Do you travel with the aim of finding new ways to make money?

Not at the moment. I do it for pleasure and out of curiosity about the world. But one never knows.

What lessons about financial independence have you learned from different economies and cultures?

In different economies and cultures, the dimensions of financial independence are also different. In Europe, much more resources are needed to be financially free. Besides the high standard, our way of life, the climate, and other similar factors make this exercise expensive. On the other hand, countries with a more favorable climate and lower standards offer incredible opportunities to achieve financial independence faster and easier. It is no coincidence that digital nomads or just people who can do their work from anywhere find temporary or permanent homes in countries like Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia.

According to Vis it better to spend on experiences rather than material possessions?

Definitely! The only thing that is truly important in life is how we will live it and what memories we will have left. Material things are transient.

How do you see the future of digital nomadic life?

Digital nomadic life is becoming more and more popular and accessible, with the advancement of digitalization and the use of artificial intelligence. In my opinion, the real boom is yet to come.

Are there specific countries that are more favorable for work and investments?

Of course. The investment climate is a system of specific conditions that are different everywhere in the world. Not only taxes and regulations are important. Factors such as political stability and corruption, which are often decisive, are also important.

If you could choose one place in the world to develop your next big idea, what would it be and why?

Maybe Malaysia. I think this country has huge potential, but I would also like to live there. The second is very important.

What are the destinations you would definitely recommend to be visited and why?

Every destination is interesting and has something to see. But if I have to focus on something specific, it would be Thailand, China, and the USA – so that one can feel that there are parallel universes.

What is the career advice you would give based on what you have seen around the world?

One should never stop dreaming and setting high goals. And when pursuing these goals, to be open and kind to people along the way. The smile and good attitude are a universal language everywhere in the world.