June 26, 2025 • 25 mins
When Brian Major accidentally "fell into" travel journalism after covering home furnishings, he couldn't have imagined it would lead to a remarkable career spanning over two decades of Caribbean expertise. His journey from cruise editor to public relations director and back to journalism offers a fascinating window into how travel media has evolved.
During our conversation, Brian offers rare insights from his current role as Managing Editor of Digital Guides and Publications at Travel Pulse, where he's remained for 15 years covering 32 Caribbean nations. His methodical approach to finding stories—monitoring local Caribbean newspapers, nurturing relationships with tourism boards and embarking on monthly press trips—demonstrates the dedication required in specialized travel journalism. This comprehensive approach ensures travel advisors receive accurate, timely information that serves both their business needs and their clients' travel aspirations.
The conversation takes unexpected turns as Brian shares personal favorites among Caribbean destinations. His special appreciation for Nevis stems from its quiet, unspoiled beauty, while Jamaica earns his praise for remarkable geographical diversity—"mountains, rivers, beautiful beaches, as well as great culture." His perspective on travel advisories offers balanced wisdom: take warnings seriously but contextualize them, understanding that millions visit Caribbean destinations safely each year by exercising the same caution they would anywhere unfamiliar. As someone with Caribbean heritage, Brian's connection to the region adds meaningful depth to his reporting, contributing to his awards from the Caribbean Tourism Organization and Jamaica Tourist Board. Looking ahead, he identifies exclusive villa accommodations and diverse cruising options as major post-pandemic trends reshaping Caribbean travel.
Connect with Brian at bmajortraveling on Instagram to follow his continuing Caribbean adventures and gain insights that go beyond the beaches.
Please take a moment to rate, review and subscribe to the Media in Minutes podcast here or anywhere you get your podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/media-in-minutes/id1555710662
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Angela Tuell (00:05):
Welcome to Media in Minutes.
This is your host, Angela Tuell.
This podcast features in-depthinterviews with those who report
on the world around us.
They share everything fromtheir favorite stories to what
happened behind the lens andgive us a glimpse into their
world From our studio here atCommunications Redefined.
This is Media in Minutes.
In today's episode we aretalking with Brian Major.
(00:32):
Brian is Managing Editor,digital Guides and Publications
for Travel Pulse, specializingin the Caribbean.
His past journalism rolesinclude Senior Cruise Editor at
both Travel Agent Magazine andTravel Weekly.
He has also worked in publicrelations as director of PR for
the Cruise Lines InternationalAssociation and more.
(00:53):
Brian's travel writing andphotography has appeared in Afar
, kindness, traveler, travel andLeisure Photers and USA Today.
He was named a Caribbeantourism organization's Inner
Circle King and is a recipientof the Jamaica Tourist Board's
Martha Vickery Wallace MemorialAward for Excellence in Travel
(01:14):
Journalism.
Hello, brian, thanks forjoining us today.
Hi, angela, thanks for havingme.
Yes, I'm very excited to talkwith you.
You know, in researching yourbackground, yes, I'm very
excited to talk with you.
Brian Major (01:34):
You know, in researching your background, it
looks like you started yourcareer as a journalist for
Travel Agent magazine.
If I'm right, did you alwayswant to be a journalist?
A couple of trade magazines andhome furnishings much different
and just kind of fell intotravel reporting for Travel
Agent magazine.
And I, you know I did alwayswant to be a journalist, always
(01:58):
had a professional desire to bea journalist, and it's worked
out.
Angela Tuell (02:05):
Yeah, definitely worked out.
Can you briefly walk us throughyour career then?
Brian Major (02:09):
Yeah, sure can.
I went to a journalism school,undergraduate, long Island
University in Brooklyn, new York, okay, and started there and
did a couple of different things, working for the New York Post
as a freelancer and some otherconsumer publications, and then
(02:34):
a bit of a trade focus, as Imentioned, with home furnishings
.
And then I fell into travelreporting.
I was kind of looking aroundfor something different from
home furnishings and just woundup interviewing at Travel Agent
(02:56):
Magazine for the associatecruise editor position and I got
it and it started there.
I was a cruise reporter writingabout the different cruise
lines and the business fortravel agents for Travel Agent
Magazine and you know thebusiness kind of focused on
(03:17):
travel agents and what they, howthey sold cruises and that kind
of thing.
After a while I became thenominal cruise editor.
I started as associate cruiseeditor, became cruise editor for
Travel Agent magazine and thenwent to Travel Weekly magazine,
(03:40):
a competitor.
Angela Tuell (03:41):
Yeah.
Brian Major (03:43):
And was a cruise editor there for quite a while.
Then um 9-11 happened, and ohyes yeah, and it was uh kind of
a difficult time for all themagazines and travel weekly
included, and uh I was uh laidoff okay.
But that turned out to be agreat thing because uh a few
(04:03):
months later I uh wound upjoining Lou Hammond and
Associates, a public relationsfirm, as a representative for
Norwegian Cruise Line.
Angela Tuell (04:15):
I saw that and wondered how you made that move
to PR.
Ok, that makes sense now.
Brian Major (04:20):
Yeah, it just kind of naturally kind of happened.
They reached out to me at LouHammond and asked if I was
interested, and I was, of course, between jobs.
So I was yeah, I'm interested.
I wanted to let them know thatI had never worked in public
relations before, but they saidwell, you know, it's going to
(04:41):
work out.
You have the same clients.
The same journalists thatyou'll be working with are
colleagues of yours that you'veknown for, you know through the
agent.
So it worked out pretty well.
I just kind of fell intoworking at public relations and
all of the different skills thatit entails, all of the
(05:03):
different skills.
Angela Tuell (05:04):
That it entails.
Brian Major (05:04):
It was great to learn from the other side to see
how public relations peopleworked with journalists and how
that side of the businessfunctions, so it was a great
thing for me.
Angela Tuell (05:19):
Yeah, I may be biased, but I often think some
of the best communicators orwriters, pr pros, have worked on
both sides.
They really do.
Brian Major (05:27):
Yeah, I think so as well.
You know you get to see bothsides and you know the
challenges of both journalistsand public relations
professionals and how we canlearn better, how we can work
together and yeah, really was areal great boon to my career.
Angela Tuell (05:46):
yeah, so how did you go from that back into
journalism?
Brian Major (05:50):
well, I uh did a couple of uh of uh jobs in
public relations, including umuh director of public relations
for clea, the cruise association, for three years, 2003, 2006.
And Clea moved to Florida.
I wasn't ready to move toFlorida so I joined another
(06:12):
public relations firm, mmgMartix, and represented some
cruise lines.
But you know, it got to be.
I felt that I wanted to go backto journalism, that I was
losing my contacts and mybackground in journalism.
So I left MMG Martix and had anopportunity to go to Travel
(06:36):
Pulse.
That was when JamesSchillinglaw, who was an editor
at that time with Travel Pulse,contacted me and asked if I
wanted to be the Caribbeaneditor for Travel Pulse.
Angela Tuell (06:49):
And I was yeah, yes, of course that is great.
I was going to ask how youended up at Travel Pulse.
So tell us a little bit youknow.
For those who are not superfamiliar with the outlet, give
us the little you know briefdescription.
Brian Major (07:02):
But give us the little you know brief
description.
Yeah, travelpulsecom is a tradewebsite for people who are in
the travel industry.
It really is mainly for traveladvisors, travel agents, to know
everything about travel.
We cover all the categorieshotels, tour operators, cruise
(07:24):
lines, that kind of thing.
Then we also cover legislationrelated to travel and travel
associations.
So we kind of hit every majorarea of travel for the benefit
of travel advisors so they kindof know what's going on around
(07:46):
the business and can you knowliaison with us and read you
know everything that we put outthere for the benefit of
advisors.
Angela Tuell (07:58):
Yeah, so what exactly does the role of
managing editor digital guidesand publications Caribbean mean?
Yeah, it's a long title it's along title.
Brian Major (08:07):
Yeah, we at Travel Pulse we have monthly digital
guides, luxury guides, guidesfor the Caribbean especially
Caribbean, bahamas and Mexico.
We have another guide calledthe Little Black Book, which is
a compendium of travelassociations and consortiums.
(08:32):
So what I do is make sure thatwe have all the editorial and
guide material for monthlyguides, and that's in addition
to our regular, just everydaycoverage.
So I'm responsible for puttingtogether those guides and that's
(08:56):
pretty much what I'm doing.
Angela Tuell (08:59):
And you focus on the Caribbean right.
Brian Major (09:01):
Yes, I have a focus on the Caribbean destinations,
all of the Caribbeandestinations, news related to
Caribbean countries and tourismrelated issues with each one of
the countries that we cover.
There's 32 Caribbean countries.
(09:24):
We cover all of the news anddevelopments tourism related to
each of those destinations.
Angela Tuell (09:33):
Okay, so how do you get your story ideas or what
you're working on next?
Brian Major (09:41):
Great question.
Often I peruse and read thelocal newspapers online of
different Caribbean countries,seeing what's happening there
and keeping abreast ofjournalism of travel trends and
(10:02):
developments, and we'll developstories based on what's
happening in those countries.
Sometimes they will.
These countries will send uspress releases and information
unsolicited about what's goingon in the countries and you know
(10:22):
we will pick up thatinformation and disseminate it.
Tourism and and uh travel uh,we kind of uh we we report on.
Angela Tuell (10:52):
Okay, how many stories are you often writing,
like a week.
Brian Major (10:56):
Oh boy, um, I'd say four to five in a week.
Angela Tuell (11:01):
Okay.
Brian Major (11:02):
Stories, uh Stories , varying lengths, sometimes
like we'll have stories on like.
Recently I wrote a story on theCayman Islands, a proposal
there to build a new cruise pierwhich was actually defeated.
So we covered that and otherdevelopments around the
(11:28):
Caribbean just looking forwhatever may be of interest to
travel advisors.
Angela Tuell (11:38):
Sure, how often are you personally traveling to
the Caribbean?
Brian Major (11:42):
Well, part of every month.
It seems like I will have atrip once a month, it seems like
sometimes twice in a month,covering conferences and
sometimes a press trip that'sorganized by Caribbean nations
(12:03):
tourism department, that kind ofthing.
So it's part of every month andsometimes twice a month.
Angela Tuell (12:11):
Okay, what do you look for in a hosted trip?
Or you know what makes you sayyes, I guess.
Brian Major (12:18):
For me it's something that I've not usually
tried.
It's something that I've notdone before.
Okay, usually try to, it'ssomething that I've not done
before.
We will have hosted trips wherethere are visits to different
sites, different activities,different hotels and hospitality
(12:40):
areas, so I'm usually lookingfor something that is novel,
something that I've notencountered before, and
something new, somethingdifferent.
Angela Tuell (12:54):
Okay, that's good advice, do you?
This is a hard question to aska travel writer, I know, but I
won't, so I won't ask for justfor one.
But do you have any favoritedestinations in the Caribbean?
Brian Major (13:06):
I do like Nevis uh.
It's a small uh dual islandnation St.
Angela Tuell (13:12):
Kitts and Nevis, is it?
Brian Major (13:13):
yes, I've been there yes, is the country and uh
, I like it because it's smalland uh quiet and uh off the
beaten path and not one of themajor destinations with a great
deal of activity.
It's small and beautifulscenery and foliage and just
(13:43):
really relaxing and relaxed kindof atmosphere.
Angela Tuell (13:47):
Yeah, what you think of when you think of the
Caribbean, right?
Brian Major (13:51):
Yes, what you think of when you think of, you know
the Caribbean.
Just the beautiful, unspoilednature of the Caribbean islands
is what I tend to look for.
Angela Tuell (14:07):
Any other favorites or ones that have
surprised you that we shouldknow about?
Brian Major (14:11):
Well, jamaica is probably one of the most popular
destinations, and mostAmericans have heard of it or
have some familiarity with it,but it's an island that has some
of everything.
It has, uh, mountains andrivers and uh um and uh
(14:33):
beautiful beaches, as well as agreat culture and uh and
wonderful uh, people who arejust uh, outgoing and and and
friendly.
You know it's, yeah, it's aplace that, uh, you could go
back to time after time and findsomething new every time you go
back.
Angela Tuell (14:51):
Yeah, that's a great one, definitely.
I have to ask you've been atTravel Pulse for 15 years now,
right?
Or about what has kept youthere.
Brian Major (15:01):
Well, I guess just the attractiveness of the beat.
I really enjoy covering theCaribbean and learning about
Caribbean destinations andpeople, and it's been a very
rewarding experience.
We work mostly remotely, soworking from home or from on the
(15:26):
road, and Travel Pulse is apublication that has always
sought to report the best report, the, the, the best of of
what's going on in thedestinations that we, that we,
report on.
So it's been really rewardingto be a part of this staff and
(15:51):
I've never seen any reason totry something else.
Angela Tuell (15:55):
Yeah, it's not a bad job.
Right to be traveling to theCaribbean too.
Brian Major (16:00):
Absolutely.
Angela Tuell (16:01):
Yeah, do you freelance for other outlets as
well?
Brian Major (16:06):
Yeah, do you freelance for other outlets as
well?
Yes, I occasionally freelancefor Condé Nast Traveler and
Afarcom Travel and Leisure.
Okay, those are some of theones I've freelanced for and an
offshoot of what I've been ableto do for Travel Pulse in the
Caribbean.
Often I'll have little storiesor offshoot stories from my
(16:35):
regular Caribbean coverage andthat winds up being some of the
freelance articles that I'vedone for other publications.
Angela Tuell (16:46):
Yeah, it definitely makes sense.
What are you most proud of inyour career?
Brian Major (16:53):
thus far, yeah, wow , most proud.
Angela Tuell (16:55):
It's a tough one too.
Brian Major (16:58):
Well, I have to say , my longevity in working with
Travel Pulse.
Angela Tuell (17:04):
Yeah.
Brian Major (17:05):
And just being on the scene and reporting
faithfully about what'shappening in the Caribbean
destinations.
What's happening in theCaribbean destinations, it's
always been something that I'vealways felt a great pride in,
because I have a family from theCaribbean.
(17:25):
That's where my familybackground is.
Angela Tuell (17:28):
Okay.
Brian Major (17:31):
And it's a reward to report on this wonderful
region of the world and thewonderful people that are in all
of the world.
Angela Tuell (17:38):
And the wonderful people that are in all of those
countries.
Brian Major (17:42):
Yes, absolutely.
Angela Tuell (17:43):
I would love to know a little bit more I
mentioned in our intro about acouple awards that you've
received.
Brian Major (17:52):
Can you tell us a little bit more about them?
Yeah, I have received awardsfrom the Caribbean Tourism
Organization, one for generalreporting around the Caribbean
region and then also an awardfrom Jamaica Tourist Board for
reporting on Jamaica and whathas been deemed my expertise in
(18:18):
covering those regions.
It's been quite humbling andquite an honor to be recognized
in those ways.
It's something that I cherishand that I'm very proud of.
Angela Tuell (18:36):
Yes, that's definitely something to be proud
of, for sure.
I know you mentioned a couple,but what are some of your most
memorable stories?
Brian Major (18:44):
Well, I've done quite a few stories.
Angela Tuell (18:48):
Yes, over the years right.
Brian Major (18:56):
I think my reporting on Jamaica has been
recognized for its UNESCOwitness some of the cruise ports
there and some of theland-based developments in the
(19:44):
Dominican Republic that haveattracted more tourists and
tourism sites.
And then the Bahamas hasdeveloped a cruise port and a
revitalization of its downtowndistrict that I've reported on
(20:08):
in the last year or so.
It's been really rewarding tosee the development there and to
report on some of the positiveoutcomes.
Angela Tuell (20:21):
Yes, you know, and at the same time we have seen
some travel advisories to someof these Caribbean islands.
What do you, what are yourthoughts on that and what do you
tell people if they're worriedabout?
You know, seeing a traveladvisory to Jamaica or the
Bahamas, or you know anotherisland?
Brian Major (20:39):
Yes, these are advisories are to be taken with
a grain of salt.
Certainly they are updated withinformation on conditions in
the destination.
We've seen just recentlyJamaica's advisory gone from a
(21:02):
level three down to a level two,which means there's less
concern about crime and anybarriers to travel there.
These advisories are definitelyto be noticed, you should
notice them, but they are oftenupdated to the extent that
(21:31):
people should be ultra-concernedor extra-concern concern about
traveling to a destination.
For example, I mean there areadvisories about Jamaica and the
Bahamas and millions of peopletravel to each of those
destinations from the US everyyear.
So it's definitely a kind ofwarning to take the same
(21:59):
precautions you take everywhereelse and you know when you're
traveling about, and not beingconspicuous of flashing jewelry
or things like that, but to bejust aware and not fearful.
Angela Tuell (22:16):
Yes, and you know, a lot of times advisories only
apply to a certain part of thatisland.
You know, don't go to this spotor this city.
And it's the same way in the US, you know.
Brian Major (22:28):
Right, yes, as you know, we have US cities that you
know you should be carefulabout traveling around, and it's
the same way with theseCaribbean destinations.
A regular amount of precautionis required, yes, but they are
(22:54):
safe to travel to.
Angela Tuell (22:56):
Yes, what trends are you seeing in Caribbean
travel right now?
Brian Major (23:00):
Well, the trend is toward exclusivity.
We're seeing a lot of villadevelopments coming, really
coming out of the pandemic, adesire to have a kind of a
controlled vacation where youencounter the people that you
(23:22):
want to be with and have deluxeaccommodations as part of the
journey.
I think that's a big trend.
I also say that the popularityof cruising is taking off.
Angela Tuell (23:43):
Oh, yes, yeah.
Brian Major (23:44):
Caribbean destinations.
There's just a great diversitynow and the types of ships that
go to Caribbean destinations,and there are small luxury ships
and larger premium type ships,everything that you can imagine
(24:08):
now available on sea.
Angela Tuell (24:10):
Yeah, anything you'd want to do, you can find
it usually.
Brian Major (24:14):
Yes.
Angela Tuell (24:15):
So before we go, I must ask how can our listeners
connect with you online?
Brian Major (24:20):
My Instagram handle is bmajortraveling.
That's on Twitter as well.
I can be found ontravelpulsecom my byline is
there and there are ways toconnect and reach out to me
(24:41):
through the website.
And you know I maintain aFacebook page just Brian Major
and I'm usually pretty activeand talking about what's going
on in travel.
So wonderful.
Angela Tuell (24:59):
Thank you so much, Brian.
Brian Major (25:01):
Thank you, angela, it's been great talking with you
.
Angela Tuell (25:04):
That's all for this episode of Media in Minutes
, a podcast by CommunicationsRedefined.
Take a moment to rate, reviewand subscribe to our show.
We'd love to hear what youthink you can find more at
communicationsredefinedcom slashpodcast.
I'm your host, Angela Tuell.
Talk to you next time.
Welcome to Media in Minutes.
This is your host, Angela Tuell.
This podcast features in-depthinterviews with those who report
on the world around us.
They share everything fromtheir favorite stories to what
happened behind the lens andgive us a glimpse into their
world From our studio here atCommunications Redefined.
This is Media in Minutes.
In today's episode we aretalking with Brian Major.
(00:32):
Brian is Managing Editor,digital Guides and Publications
for Travel Pulse, specializingin the Caribbean.
His past journalism rolesinclude Senior Cruise Editor at
both Travel Agent Magazine andTravel Weekly.
He has also worked in publicrelations as director of PR for
the Cruise Lines InternationalAssociation and more.
(00:53):
Brian's travel writing andphotography has appeared in Afar
, kindness, traveler, travel andLeisure Photers and USA Today.
He was named a Caribbeantourism organization's Inner
Circle King and is a recipientof the Jamaica Tourist Board's
Martha Vickery Wallace MemorialAward for Excellence in Travel
(01:14):
Journalism.
Hello, brian, thanks forjoining us today.
Hi, angela, thanks for havingme.
Yes, I'm very excited to talkwith you.
You know, in researching yourbackground, yes, I'm very
excited to talk with you.
Brian Major (01:34):
You know, in researching your background, it
looks like you started yourcareer as a journalist for
Travel Agent magazine.
If I'm right, did you alwayswant to be a journalist?
A couple of trade magazines andhome furnishings much different
and just kind of fell intotravel reporting for Travel
Agent magazine.
And I, you know I did alwayswant to be a journalist, always
(01:58):
had a professional desire to bea journalist, and it's worked
out.
Angela Tuell (02:05):
Yeah, definitely worked out.
Can you briefly walk us throughyour career then?
Brian Major (02:09):
Yeah, sure can.
I went to a journalism school,undergraduate, long Island
University in Brooklyn, new York, okay, and started there and
did a couple of different things, working for the New York Post
as a freelancer and some otherconsumer publications, and then
(02:34):
a bit of a trade focus, as Imentioned, with home furnishings
.
And then I fell into travelreporting.
I was kind of looking aroundfor something different from
home furnishings and just woundup interviewing at Travel Agent
(02:56):
Magazine for the associatecruise editor position and I got
it and it started there.
I was a cruise reporter writingabout the different cruise
lines and the business fortravel agents for Travel Agent
Magazine and you know thebusiness kind of focused on
(03:17):
travel agents and what they, howthey sold cruises and that kind
of thing.
After a while I became thenominal cruise editor.
I started as associate cruiseeditor, became cruise editor for
Travel Agent magazine and thenwent to Travel Weekly magazine,
(03:40):
a competitor.
Angela Tuell (03:41):
Yeah.
Brian Major (03:43):
And was a cruise editor there for quite a while.
Then um 9-11 happened, and ohyes yeah, and it was uh kind of
a difficult time for all themagazines and travel weekly
included, and uh I was uh laidoff okay.
But that turned out to be agreat thing because uh a few
(04:03):
months later I uh wound upjoining Lou Hammond and
Associates, a public relationsfirm, as a representative for
Norwegian Cruise Line.
Angela Tuell (04:15):
I saw that and wondered how you made that move
to PR.
Ok, that makes sense now.
Brian Major (04:20):
Yeah, it just kind of naturally kind of happened.
They reached out to me at LouHammond and asked if I was
interested, and I was, of course, between jobs.
So I was yeah, I'm interested.
I wanted to let them know thatI had never worked in public
relations before, but they saidwell, you know, it's going to
(04:41):
work out.
You have the same clients.
The same journalists thatyou'll be working with are
colleagues of yours that you'veknown for, you know through the
agent.
So it worked out pretty well.
I just kind of fell intoworking at public relations and
all of the different skills thatit entails, all of the
(05:03):
different skills.
Angela Tuell (05:04):
That it entails.
Brian Major (05:04):
It was great to learn from the other side to see
how public relations peopleworked with journalists and how
that side of the businessfunctions, so it was a great
thing for me.
Angela Tuell (05:19):
Yeah, I may be biased, but I often think some
of the best communicators orwriters, pr pros, have worked on
both sides.
They really do.
Brian Major (05:27):
Yeah, I think so as well.
You know you get to see bothsides and you know the
challenges of both journalistsand public relations
professionals and how we canlearn better, how we can work
together and yeah, really was areal great boon to my career.
Angela Tuell (05:46):
yeah, so how did you go from that back into
journalism?
Brian Major (05:50):
well, I uh did a couple of uh of uh jobs in
public relations, including umuh director of public relations
for clea, the cruise association, for three years, 2003, 2006.
And Clea moved to Florida.
I wasn't ready to move toFlorida so I joined another
(06:12):
public relations firm, mmgMartix, and represented some
cruise lines.
But you know, it got to be.
I felt that I wanted to go backto journalism, that I was
losing my contacts and mybackground in journalism.
So I left MMG Martix and had anopportunity to go to Travel
(06:36):
Pulse.
That was when JamesSchillinglaw, who was an editor
at that time with Travel Pulse,contacted me and asked if I
wanted to be the Caribbeaneditor for Travel Pulse.
Angela Tuell (06:49):
And I was yeah, yes, of course that is great.
I was going to ask how youended up at Travel Pulse.
So tell us a little bit youknow.
For those who are not superfamiliar with the outlet, give
us the little you know briefdescription.
Brian Major (07:02):
But give us the little you know brief
description.
Yeah, travelpulsecom is a tradewebsite for people who are in
the travel industry.
It really is mainly for traveladvisors, travel agents, to know
everything about travel.
We cover all the categorieshotels, tour operators, cruise
(07:24):
lines, that kind of thing.
Then we also cover legislationrelated to travel and travel
associations.
So we kind of hit every majorarea of travel for the benefit
of travel advisors so they kindof know what's going on around
(07:46):
the business and can you knowliaison with us and read you
know everything that we put outthere for the benefit of
advisors.
Angela Tuell (07:58):
Yeah, so what exactly does the role of
managing editor digital guidesand publications Caribbean mean?
Yeah, it's a long title it's along title.
Brian Major (08:07):
Yeah, we at Travel Pulse we have monthly digital
guides, luxury guides, guidesfor the Caribbean especially
Caribbean, bahamas and Mexico.
We have another guide calledthe Little Black Book, which is
a compendium of travelassociations and consortiums.
(08:32):
So what I do is make sure thatwe have all the editorial and
guide material for monthlyguides, and that's in addition
to our regular, just everydaycoverage.
So I'm responsible for puttingtogether those guides and that's
(08:56):
pretty much what I'm doing.
Angela Tuell (08:59):
And you focus on the Caribbean right.
Brian Major (09:01):
Yes, I have a focus on the Caribbean destinations,
all of the Caribbeandestinations, news related to
Caribbean countries and tourismrelated issues with each one of
the countries that we cover.
There's 32 Caribbean countries.
(09:24):
We cover all of the news anddevelopments tourism related to
each of those destinations.
Angela Tuell (09:33):
Okay, so how do you get your story ideas or what
you're working on next?
Brian Major (09:41):
Great question.
Often I peruse and read thelocal newspapers online of
different Caribbean countries,seeing what's happening there
and keeping abreast ofjournalism of travel trends and
(10:02):
developments, and we'll developstories based on what's
happening in those countries.
Sometimes they will.
These countries will send uspress releases and information
unsolicited about what's goingon in the countries and you know
(10:22):
we will pick up thatinformation and disseminate it.
Tourism and and uh travel uh,we kind of uh we we report on.
Angela Tuell (10:52):
Okay, how many stories are you often writing,
like a week.
Brian Major (10:56):
Oh boy, um, I'd say four to five in a week.
Angela Tuell (11:01):
Okay.
Brian Major (11:02):
Stories, uh Stories , varying lengths, sometimes
like we'll have stories on like.
Recently I wrote a story on theCayman Islands, a proposal
there to build a new cruise pierwhich was actually defeated.
So we covered that and otherdevelopments around the
(11:28):
Caribbean just looking forwhatever may be of interest to
travel advisors.
Angela Tuell (11:38):
Sure, how often are you personally traveling to
the Caribbean?
Brian Major (11:42):
Well, part of every month.
It seems like I will have atrip once a month, it seems like
sometimes twice in a month,covering conferences and
sometimes a press trip that'sorganized by Caribbean nations
(12:03):
tourism department, that kind ofthing.
So it's part of every month andsometimes twice a month.
Angela Tuell (12:11):
Okay, what do you look for in a hosted trip?
Or you know what makes you sayyes, I guess.
Brian Major (12:18):
For me it's something that I've not usually
tried.
It's something that I've notdone before.
Okay, usually try to, it'ssomething that I've not done
before.
We will have hosted trips wherethere are visits to different
sites, different activities,different hotels and hospitality
(12:40):
areas, so I'm usually lookingfor something that is novel,
something that I've notencountered before, and
something new, somethingdifferent.
Angela Tuell (12:54):
Okay, that's good advice, do you?
This is a hard question to aska travel writer, I know, but I
won't, so I won't ask for justfor one.
But do you have any favoritedestinations in the Caribbean?
Brian Major (13:06):
I do like Nevis uh.
It's a small uh dual islandnation St.
Angela Tuell (13:12):
Kitts and Nevis, is it?
Brian Major (13:13):
yes, I've been there yes, is the country and uh
, I like it because it's smalland uh quiet and uh off the
beaten path and not one of themajor destinations with a great
deal of activity.
It's small and beautifulscenery and foliage and just
(13:43):
really relaxing and relaxed kindof atmosphere.
Angela Tuell (13:47):
Yeah, what you think of when you think of the
Caribbean, right?
Brian Major (13:51):
Yes, what you think of when you think of, you know
the Caribbean.
Just the beautiful, unspoilednature of the Caribbean islands
is what I tend to look for.
Angela Tuell (14:07):
Any other favorites or ones that have
surprised you that we shouldknow about?
Brian Major (14:11):
Well, jamaica is probably one of the most popular
destinations, and mostAmericans have heard of it or
have some familiarity with it,but it's an island that has some
of everything.
It has, uh, mountains andrivers and uh um and uh
(14:33):
beautiful beaches, as well as agreat culture and uh and
wonderful uh, people who arejust uh, outgoing and and and
friendly.
You know it's, yeah, it's aplace that, uh, you could go
back to time after time and findsomething new every time you go
back.
Angela Tuell (14:51):
Yeah, that's a great one, definitely.
I have to ask you've been atTravel Pulse for 15 years now,
right?
Or about what has kept youthere.
Brian Major (15:01):
Well, I guess just the attractiveness of the beat.
I really enjoy covering theCaribbean and learning about
Caribbean destinations andpeople, and it's been a very
rewarding experience.
We work mostly remotely, soworking from home or from on the
(15:26):
road, and Travel Pulse is apublication that has always
sought to report the best report, the, the, the best of of
what's going on in thedestinations that we, that we,
report on.
So it's been really rewardingto be a part of this staff and
(15:51):
I've never seen any reason totry something else.
Angela Tuell (15:55):
Yeah, it's not a bad job.
Right to be traveling to theCaribbean too.
Brian Major (16:00):
Absolutely.
Angela Tuell (16:01):
Yeah, do you freelance for other outlets as
well?
Brian Major (16:06):
Yeah, do you freelance for other outlets as
well?
Yes, I occasionally freelancefor Condé Nast Traveler and
Afarcom Travel and Leisure.
Okay, those are some of theones I've freelanced for and an
offshoot of what I've been ableto do for Travel Pulse in the
Caribbean.
Often I'll have little storiesor offshoot stories from my
(16:35):
regular Caribbean coverage andthat winds up being some of the
freelance articles that I'vedone for other publications.
Angela Tuell (16:46):
Yeah, it definitely makes sense.
What are you most proud of inyour career?
Brian Major (16:53):
thus far, yeah, wow , most proud.
Angela Tuell (16:55):
It's a tough one too.
Brian Major (16:58):
Well, I have to say , my longevity in working with
Travel Pulse.
Angela Tuell (17:04):
Yeah.
Brian Major (17:05):
And just being on the scene and reporting
faithfully about what'shappening in the Caribbean
destinations.
What's happening in theCaribbean destinations, it's
always been something that I'vealways felt a great pride in,
because I have a family from theCaribbean.
(17:25):
That's where my familybackground is.
Angela Tuell (17:28):
Okay.
Brian Major (17:31):
And it's a reward to report on this wonderful
region of the world and thewonderful people that are in all
of the world.
Angela Tuell (17:38):
And the wonderful people that are in all of those
countries.
Brian Major (17:42):
Yes, absolutely.
Angela Tuell (17:43):
I would love to know a little bit more I
mentioned in our intro about acouple awards that you've
received.
Brian Major (17:52):
Can you tell us a little bit more about them?
Yeah, I have received awardsfrom the Caribbean Tourism
Organization, one for generalreporting around the Caribbean
region and then also an awardfrom Jamaica Tourist Board for
reporting on Jamaica and whathas been deemed my expertise in
(18:18):
covering those regions.
It's been quite humbling andquite an honor to be recognized
in those ways.
It's something that I cherishand that I'm very proud of.
Angela Tuell (18:36):
Yes, that's definitely something to be proud
of, for sure.
I know you mentioned a couple,but what are some of your most
memorable stories?
Brian Major (18:44):
Well, I've done quite a few stories.
Angela Tuell (18:48):
Yes, over the years right.
Brian Major (18:56):
I think my reporting on Jamaica has been
recognized for its UNESCOwitness some of the cruise ports
there and some of theland-based developments in the
(19:44):
Dominican Republic that haveattracted more tourists and
tourism sites.
And then the Bahamas hasdeveloped a cruise port and a
revitalization of its downtowndistrict that I've reported on
(20:08):
in the last year or so.
It's been really rewarding tosee the development there and to
report on some of the positiveoutcomes.
Angela Tuell (20:21):
Yes, you know, and at the same time we have seen
some travel advisories to someof these Caribbean islands.
What do you, what are yourthoughts on that and what do you
tell people if they're worriedabout?
You know, seeing a traveladvisory to Jamaica or the
Bahamas, or you know anotherisland?
Brian Major (20:39):
Yes, these are advisories are to be taken with
a grain of salt.
Certainly they are updated withinformation on conditions in
the destination.
We've seen just recentlyJamaica's advisory gone from a
(21:02):
level three down to a level two,which means there's less
concern about crime and anybarriers to travel there.
These advisories are definitelyto be noticed, you should
notice them, but they are oftenupdated to the extent that
(21:31):
people should be ultra-concernedor extra-concern concern about
traveling to a destination.
For example, I mean there areadvisories about Jamaica and the
Bahamas and millions of peopletravel to each of those
destinations from the US everyyear.
So it's definitely a kind ofwarning to take the same
(21:59):
precautions you take everywhereelse and you know when you're
traveling about, and not beingconspicuous of flashing jewelry
or things like that, but to bejust aware and not fearful.
Angela Tuell (22:16):
Yes, and you know, a lot of times advisories only
apply to a certain part of thatisland.
You know, don't go to this spotor this city.
And it's the same way in the US, you know.
Brian Major (22:28):
Right, yes, as you know, we have US cities that you
know you should be carefulabout traveling around, and it's
the same way with theseCaribbean destinations.
A regular amount of precautionis required, yes, but they are
(22:54):
safe to travel to.
Angela Tuell (22:56):
Yes, what trends are you seeing in Caribbean
travel right now?
Brian Major (23:00):
Well, the trend is toward exclusivity.
We're seeing a lot of villadevelopments coming, really
coming out of the pandemic, adesire to have a kind of a
controlled vacation where youencounter the people that you
(23:22):
want to be with and have deluxeaccommodations as part of the
journey.
I think that's a big trend.
I also say that the popularityof cruising is taking off.
Angela Tuell (23:43):
Oh, yes, yeah.
Brian Major (23:44):
Caribbean destinations.
There's just a great diversitynow and the types of ships that
go to Caribbean destinations,and there are small luxury ships
and larger premium type ships,everything that you can imagine
(24:08):
now available on sea.
Angela Tuell (24:10):
Yeah, anything you'd want to do, you can find
it usually.
Brian Major (24:14):
Yes.
Angela Tuell (24:15):
So before we go, I must ask how can our listeners
connect with you online?
Brian Major (24:20):
My Instagram handle is bmajortraveling.
That's on Twitter as well.
I can be found ontravelpulsecom my byline is
there and there are ways toconnect and reach out to me
(24:41):
through the website.
And you know I maintain aFacebook page just Brian Major
and I'm usually pretty activeand talking about what's going
on in travel.
So wonderful.
Angela Tuell (24:59):
Thank you so much, Brian.
Brian Major (25:01):
Thank you, angela, it's been great talking with you
.
Angela Tuell (25:04):
That's all for this episode of Media in Minutes
, a podcast by CommunicationsRedefined.
Take a moment to rate, reviewand subscribe to our show.
We'd love to hear what youthink you can find more at
communicationsredefinedcom slashpodcast.
I'm your host, Angela Tuell.
Talk to you next time.
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