Randy has managed to combine 30 years of radio broadcasting experience with his travel knowledge, which mostly comes from working in the cruise line industry for 3 years. That experience has taken him to both coastlines of North America, Alaska and Hawaii to Mexico and the Caribbean and Central and South America. Randy was also a part-time home-based travel consultant for about 10 years allowing him to access the latest travel trade publications and insider information.
What got you into travel journalism?
I have worked as a radio broadcaster for more than 30 years, I took a cruise as a holiday and was hooked. From there I took a hiatus from radio and managed to get a job on a cruise ship. I did that for 3 years and when that was done I decided to combine my travel experience and love of travel with my radio career and created a 1 hour travel show which has now evolved into The Informed Traveler Podcast.
What’s the most challenging part of being a travel journalist?
Finding guests or topics to discuss on a weekly basis can sometimes be a challenge but it always works out.
What is the most rewarding aspect of travel journalism?
The travel of course, going to places that I may not have gone to. And the interesting people you meet along the way.
What is something you wish people knew about travel journalism?
It’s not all play, although that’s a big part of it. It involves a lot of work at times. I am fortunate sometimes to take my family on media trips and my children never see the work that goes on behind the scenes for them to be able to travel.
How have your cross-cultural experiences shaped your point of view of the world?
I think one of the biggest benefits of travel in general is that you get to experience other cultures and see how other people live, learn their beliefs that may be different from yours. It opens your mind and expands your knowledge. I have been fortunate to learn that first hand. It also opens avenues for conversation. For example if you learn that someone you’ve just met is from a certain part of the world and you’ve been there, it forms an immediate connection that you can build on.
What have you enjoyed most about being a NATJA member?
I like the sense of community, that you belong. For me NATJA does that.
