Thracian Helmet with Mask, originally uploaded by The Traveling Frog - Rossitza and Stevan Olson. Thracian Helmet with Mask: Amazing photo. National Museum of History, Bulgaria

Cultural travelers travel because they need to unveil something mysterious, something familiar, something…unexpected. They are driven not by prices, but buy deep-rooted need for new experiences or nostalgic familiarity. That is why they spend more money and they travel more often. Their travels are longer in time and distance. This pattern will not change in 2010.

What will be different and what will stay the same in 2010?

The Lost World of Old Europe, one of the most interesting prehistoric art exhibitions, was inaugurated On November 11, 2009 in New York City.

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Finally my (im)patience is generously rewarded: the Country Brand Index of Future Brand is here. That, on the top of the 2009 edition Nation Brands Index (NBI) by Anholt-GfK Roper, made me jump of joy. They encompass information, which will be my “food for thought” for the weeks to come. You might say that I am partial to the CBI, since I was one of the experts for the 2009 edition. In fact, I will try to prove that I see objectively both Indexes as sources of very valuable information. This combined “sea of knowledge” for professionals like me, is precious when it comes to create strategies for tourism development and destination management.