Rossitza Ohridska-Olson

Macro-strategist with focus on the business of cultural tourism.

About me and this blog

The technology changes people. Faraway exotics are moving from the unknown to a click away. We discover cultures faster, we change them, we participate in their shaping and we create our own. How does the business of cultural tourism respond to technology? Are the geographies of travel expanding as a result of the social marketing? How is it that old-fashioned places now appear as “new and emerging” destinations?

During the past 12 years these questions were only a sidebar in my thoughts. In spite of my M.S. in the Geography of Tourism and Travel Management and after 16 years of success in the travel industry, I dropped the active participation in the science and business of tourism. I wanted to discover new worlds - in my career and in my life. I half-turned my back to Old Europe and started to adapt myself to America: my new home, with my new husband and my new education in communication design. I embraced other businesses and career achievements – from information architecture and Internet project management to graphic design and web presence consulting.

In the meantime, the travel industry has changed as many of us had predicted in the early 90s. The Internet replaced travel agents in ticketing. Traditional publishing was pushed aside by blogging experts in destination knowledge. User opinions became more important than star or diamond ratings. Touroperators succumbed to user-created dynamic travel packaging, long and organized trips gave way to short city escapes, triggered by emotional appeal of an event, a monument, a place. THE CULTURE OF TRAVEL HAS CHANGED. THE BUSINESS OF CULTURAL TOURISM HAS CHANGED. So did I.

I could no longer ignore the exciting stuff happening in the global travel industry and just monitor the changes. I had to participate in them. The focus of travel had changed. Now is not about the big groups, it’s not about cheaper travel – it is about chasing and selling of the dream of places and expected emotions.

As a passionate art lover, admirer of past and living cultures, as well as a travel industry expert, I had to get back on the saddle and contribute to the (r)evolution happening every second, simultaneously in all remote corners of the world.

This blog is one of the answers to your questions about the business of cultural tourism – not only about what is happening now, but the way it will be and should be in the next 5,10, 20 years. And while most blogs about travel 2.0. concentrate in the hotel business, airline issues and event management, I decided to share what I am passionate about – the fortune telling about the business of cultural tourism.

Be aware: my predictions and forecasts normally happen – the good ones, as well as the bad ones. My clients and friends don’t call me a witch in vain (it doesn’t offend me – you can call me that too).

If you want to discuss or even argue with me on any issue about the future of this fast moving business – cultural tourism - drop me a line or comment on my posts.