Media in Minutes

Travel Pulse's Brian Major takes us behind the scenes of Caribbean tourism reporting

• Angela Tuell • Season 5 • Episode 13

Share episode

Send us a text

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 

Angela Tuell:

Welcome to Media in Minutes. This is your host, Angela Tuell. This podcast features in-depth interviews with those who report on the world around us. They share everything from their favorite stories to what happened behind the lens and give us a glimpse into their world From our studio here at Communications Redefined. This is Media in Minutes. In today's episode we are talking with Brian Major. Brian is Managing Editor, digital Guides and Publications for Travel Pulse, specializing in the Caribbean. His past journalism roles include Senior Cruise Editor at both Travel Agent Magazine and Travel Weekly. He has also worked in public relations as director of PR for the Cruise Lines International Association and more. Brian's travel writing and photography has appeared in Afar, kindness, traveler, travel and Leisure Photers and USA Today. He was named a Caribbean tourism organization's Inner Circle King and is a recipient of the Jamaica Tourist Board's Martha Vickery Wallace Memorial Award for Excellence in Travel Journalism. Hello, brian, thanks for joining us today. Hi, angela, thanks for having me. Yes, I'm very excited to talk with you. You know, in researching your background, yes, I'm very excited to talk with you.

Brian Major:

You know, in researching your background, it looks like you started your career as a journalist for Travel Agent magazine. If I'm right, did you always want to be a journalist? A couple of trade magazines and home furnishings much different and just kind of fell into travel reporting for Travel Agent magazine. And I, you know I did always want to be a journalist, always had a professional desire to be a journalist, and it's worked out.

Angela Tuell:

Yeah, definitely worked out. Can you briefly walk us through your career then?

Brian Major:

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 other consumer publications, and then a bit of a trade focus, as I mentioned, with home furnishings. And then I fell into travel reporting. I was kind of looking around for something different from home furnishings and just wound up interviewing at Travel Agent Magazine for the associate cruise editor position and I got it and it started there. I was a cruise reporter writing about the different cruise lines and the business for travel agents for Travel Agent Magazine and you know the business kind of focused on travel agents and what they, how they sold cruises and that kind of thing. After a while I became the nominal cruise editor. I started as associate cruise editor, became cruise editor for Travel Agent magazine and then went to Travel Weekly magazine, a competitor.

Angela Tuell:

Yeah.

Brian Major:

And was a cruise editor there for quite a while. Then um 9-11 happened, and oh yes yeah, and it was uh kind of a difficult time for all the magazines and travel weekly included, and uh I was uh laid off okay. But that turned out to be a great thing because uh a few months later I uh wound up joining Lou Hammond and Associates, a public relations firm, as a representative for Norwegian Cruise Line.

Angela Tuell:

I saw that and wondered how you made that move to PR. Ok, that makes sense now.

Brian Major:

Yeah, it just kind of naturally kind of happened. They reached out to me at Lou Hammond 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 that I had never worked in public relations before, but they said well, you know, it's going to work out. You have the same clients. The same journalists that you'll be working with are colleagues of yours that you've known for, you know through the agent. So it worked out pretty well. I just kind of fell into working at public relations and all of the different skills that it entails, all of the different skills.

Angela Tuell:

That it entails.

Brian Major:

It was great to learn from the other side to see how public relations people worked with journalists and how that side of the business functions, so it was a great thing for me.

Angela Tuell:

Yeah, I may be biased, but I often think some of the best communicators or writers, pr pros, have worked on both sides. They really do.

Brian Major:

Yeah, I think so as well. You know you get to see both sides and you know the challenges of both journalists and public relations professionals and how we can learn better, how we can work together and yeah, really was a real great boon to my career.

Angela Tuell:

yeah, so how did you go from that back into journalism?

Brian Major:

well, I uh did a couple of uh of uh jobs in public relations, including um uh 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 to Florida so I joined another public relations firm, mmg Martix, and represented some cruise lines. But you know, it got to be. I felt that I wanted to go back to journalism, that I was losing my contacts and my background in journalism. So I left MMG Martix and had an opportunity to go to Travel Pulse. That was when James Schillinglaw, who was an editor at that time with Travel Pulse, contacted me and asked if I wanted to be the Caribbean editor for Travel Pulse.

Angela Tuell:

And I was yeah, yes, of course that is great. I was going to ask how you ended up at Travel Pulse. So tell us a little bit you know. For those who are not super familiar with the outlet, give us the little you know brief description.

Brian Major:

But give us the little you know brief description. Yeah, travelpulsecom is a trade website for people who are in the travel industry. It really is mainly for travel advisors, travel agents, to know everything about travel. We cover all the categories hotels, tour operators, cruise lines, that kind of thing. Then we also cover legislation related to travel and travel associations. So we kind of hit every major area of travel for the benefit of travel advisors so they kind of know what's going on around the business and can you know liaison with us and read you know everything that we put out there for the benefit of advisors.

Angela Tuell:

Yeah, so what exactly does the role of managing editor digital guides and publications Caribbean mean? Yeah, it's a long title it's a long title.

Brian Major:

Yeah, we at Travel Pulse we have monthly digital guides, luxury guides, guides for the Caribbean especially Caribbean, bahamas and Mexico. We have another guide called the Little Black Book, which is a compendium of travel associations and consortiums. So what I do is make sure that we have all the editorial and guide material for monthly guides, and that's in addition to our regular, just everyday coverage. So I'm responsible for putting together those guides and that's pretty much what I'm doing.

Angela Tuell:

And you focus on the Caribbean right.

Brian Major:

Yes, I have a focus on the Caribbean destinations, all of the Caribbean destinations, news related to Caribbean countries and tourism related issues with each one of the countries that we cover. There's 32 Caribbean countries. We cover all of the news and developments tourism related to each of those destinations.

Angela Tuell:

Okay, so how do you get your story ideas or what you're working on next?

Brian Major:

Great question. Often I peruse and read the local newspapers online of different Caribbean countries, seeing what's happening there and keeping abreast of journalism of travel trends and developments, and we'll develop stories based on what's happening in those countries. Sometimes they will. These countries will send us press releases and information unsolicited about what's going on in the countries and you know we will pick up that information and disseminate it. Tourism and and uh travel uh, we kind of uh we we report on.

Angela Tuell:

Okay, how many stories are you often writing, like a week.

Brian Major:

Oh boy, um, I'd say four to five in a week.

Angela Tuell:

Okay.

Brian Major:

Stories, uh Stories, varying lengths, sometimes like we'll have stories on like. Recently I wrote a story on the Cayman Islands, a proposal there to build a new cruise pier which was actually defeated. So we covered that and other developments around the Caribbean just looking for whatever may be of interest to travel advisors.

Angela Tuell:

Sure, how often are you personally traveling to the Caribbean?

Brian Major:

Well, part of every month. It seems like I will have a trip once a month, it seems like sometimes twice in a month, covering conferences and sometimes a press trip that's organized by Caribbean nations tourism department, that kind of thing. So it's part of every month and sometimes twice a month.

Angela Tuell:

Okay, what do you look for in a hosted trip? Or you know what makes you say yes, I guess.

Brian Major:

For me it's something that I've not usually tried. It's something that I've not done before. Okay, usually try to, it's something that I've not done before. We will have hosted trips where there are visits to different sites, different activities, different hotels and hospitality areas, so I'm usually looking for something that is novel, something that I've not encountered before, and something new, something different.

Angela Tuell:

Okay, that's good advice, do you? This is a hard question to ask a travel writer, I know, but I won't, so I won't ask for just for one. But do you have any favorite destinations in the Caribbean?

Brian Major:

I do like Nevis uh. It's a small uh dual island nation St.

Angela Tuell:

Kitts and Nevis, is it?

Brian Major:

yes, I've been there yes, is the country and uh, I like it because it's small and uh quiet and uh off the beaten path and not one of the major destinations with a great deal of activity. It's small and beautiful scenery and foliage and just really relaxing and relaxed kind of atmosphere.

Angela Tuell:

Yeah, what you think of when you think of the Caribbean, right?

Brian Major:

Yes, what you think of when you think of, you know the Caribbean. Just the beautiful, unspoiled nature of the Caribbean islands is what I tend to look for.

Angela Tuell:

Any other favorites or ones that have surprised you that we should know about?

Brian Major:

Well, jamaica is probably one of the most popular destinations, and most Americans have heard of it or have some familiarity with it, but it's an island that has some of everything. It has, uh, mountains and rivers and uh um and uh beautiful beaches, as well as a great culture and uh and wonderful uh, people who are just uh, outgoing and and and friendly. You know it's, yeah, it's a place that, uh, you could go back to time after time and find something new every time you go back.

Angela Tuell:

Yeah, that's a great one, definitely. I have to ask you've been at Travel Pulse for 15 years now, right? Or about what has kept you there.

Brian Major:

Well, I guess just the attractiveness of the beat. I really enjoy covering the Caribbean and learning about Caribbean destinations and people, and it's been a very rewarding experience. We work mostly remotely, so working from home or from on the road, and Travel Pulse is a publication that has always sought to report the best report, the, the, the best of of what's going on in the destinations that we, that we, report on. So it's been really rewarding to be a part of this staff and I've never seen any reason to try something else.

Angela Tuell:

Yeah, it's not a bad job. Right to be traveling to the Caribbean too.

Brian Major:

Absolutely.

Angela Tuell:

Yeah, do you freelance for other outlets as well?

Brian Major:

Yeah, do you freelance for other outlets as well? Yes, I occasionally freelance for Condé Nast Traveler and Afarcom Travel and Leisure. Okay, those are some of the ones I've freelanced for and an offshoot of what I've been able to do for Travel Pulse in the Caribbean. Often I'll have little stories or offshoot stories from my regular Caribbean coverage and that winds up being some of the freelance articles that I've done for other publications.

Angela Tuell:

Yeah, it definitely makes sense. What are you most proud of in your career?

Brian Major:

thus far, yeah, wow, most proud.

Angela Tuell:

It's a tough one too.

Brian Major:

Well, I have to say, my longevity in working with Travel Pulse.

Angela Tuell:

Yeah.

Brian Major:

And just being on the scene and reporting faithfully about what's happening in the Caribbean destinations. What's happening in the Caribbean destinations, it's always been something that I've always felt a great pride in, because I have a family from the Caribbean. That's where my family background is.

Angela Tuell:

Okay.

Brian Major:

And it's a reward to report on this wonderful region of the world and the wonderful people that are in all of the world.

Angela Tuell:

And the wonderful people that are in all of those countries.

Brian Major:

Yes, absolutely.

Angela Tuell:

I would love to know a little bit more I mentioned in our intro about a couple awards that you've received.

Brian Major:

Can you tell us a little bit more about them? Yeah, I have received awards from the Caribbean Tourism Organization, one for general reporting around the Caribbean region and then also an award from Jamaica Tourist Board for reporting on Jamaica and what has been deemed my expertise in covering those regions. It's been quite humbling and quite an honor to be recognized in those ways. It's something that I cherish and that I'm very proud of.

Angela Tuell:

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:

Well, I've done quite a few stories.

Angela Tuell:

Yes, over the years right.

Brian Major:

I think my reporting on Jamaica has been recognized for its UNESCO witness some of the cruise ports there and some of the land-based developments in the Dominican Republic that have attracted more tourists and tourism sites. And then the Bahamas has developed a cruise port and a revitalization of its downtown district that I've reported on in the last year or so. It's been really rewarding to see the development there and to report on some of the positive outcomes.

Angela Tuell:

Yes, you know, and at the same time we have seen some travel advisories to some of these Caribbean islands. What do you, what are your thoughts on that and what do you tell people if they're worried about? You know, seeing a travel advisory to Jamaica or the Bahamas, or you know another island?

Brian Major:

Yes, these are advisories are to be taken with a grain of salt. Certainly they are updated with information on conditions in the destination. We've seen just recently Jamaica's advisory gone from a level three down to a level two, which means there's less concern about crime and any barriers to travel there. These advisories are definitely to be noticed, you should notice them, but they are often updated to the extent that people should be ultra-concerned or extra-concern concern about traveling to a destination. For example, I mean there are advisories about Jamaica and the Bahamas and millions of people travel to each of those destinations from the US every year. So it's definitely a kind of warning to take the same precautions you take everywhere else and you know when you're traveling about, and not being conspicuous of flashing jewelry or things like that, but to be just aware and not fearful.

Angela Tuell:

Yes, and you know, a lot of times advisories only apply to a certain part of that island. You know, don't go to this spot or this city. And it's the same way in the US, you know.

Brian Major:

Right, yes, as you know, we have US cities that you know you should be careful about traveling around, and it's the same way with these Caribbean destinations. A regular amount of precaution is required, yes, but they are safe to travel to.

Angela Tuell:

Yes, what trends are you seeing in Caribbean travel right now?

Brian Major:

Well, the trend is toward exclusivity. We're seeing a lot of villa developments coming, really coming out of the pandemic, a desire to have a kind of a controlled vacation where you encounter the people that you want to be with and have deluxe accommodations as part of the journey. I think that's a big trend. I also say that the popularity of cruising is taking off.

Angela Tuell:

Oh, yes, yeah.

Brian Major:

Caribbean destinations. There's just a great diversity now 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 now available on sea.

Angela Tuell:

Yeah, anything you'd want to do, you can find it usually.

Brian Major:

Yes.

Angela Tuell:

So before we go, I must ask how can our listeners connect with you online?

Brian Major:

My Instagram handle is bmajortraveling. That's on Twitter as well. I can be found on travelpulsecom my byline is there and there are ways to connect and reach out to me through the website. And you know I maintain a Facebook page just Brian Major and I'm usually pretty active and talking about what's going on in travel. So wonderful.

Angela Tuell:

Thank you so much, Brian.

Brian Major:

Thank you, angela, it's been great talking with you.

Angela Tuell:

That's all for this episode of Media in Minutes, a podcast by Communications Redefined. Take a moment to rate, review and subscribe to our show. We'd love to hear what you think you can find more at communicationsredefinedcom slash podcast. I'm your host, Angela Tuell. Talk to you next time.