JMtrav is a Jamaican travel blog that focuses on local attractions, culture, and travel tips for visitors and locals on staycations or exploration.
We aim to provide the best content on Jamaican travel and culture. Also, content on other exciting destinations that we explore.
The person behind the blog
Errol Brown is the person behind JMtrav. I am a Jamaican living on the island and work as a Physical Education teacher in the education system.
I am passionate about helping people along this journey called life so it can be a little more pleasant, which I have done as a teacher, coach, and fitness instructor.
I hope to expand my reach globally and improve someone’s travel experience.
How this website started and how I got into blogging.
During one of my downtimes, I was browsing my Google Maps location history. I don’t know if you are familiar with this feature on your mobile. For those who don’t know, it is a setting on your Android that highlights your movement on Google Maps. For example, it shows where you travel, the routes, stops, and dates.
What I saw on mine was disturbing.
All movements were work-related.
It seemed I was a robot programmed to do one thing: travel to work and back home. As a result, my travel patterns were repetitive and predictable, with the occasional deviation. That was the monthly trip to visit my grandma in the country.
Although I enjoyed my job, in some aspects, I had to do something.
It was depressing thinking my entire life was all about work.
So I started exploring, nothing major, just a drive to the countryside for sightseeing. Sometimes I visited places near home. Most times, I travel alone because my spouse does not enjoy being on the road. I didn’t mind because, at times, I like my own company. You can say I am a loner.
My appetite for exploration was growing, but my stagnant income, or rather, my depreciating stipend, could not support it.
Working as a teacher, though intrinsically rewarding, was a handicap to my desire to explore Jamaica. So I started looking for ways to support my newfound passion.
Luckily, a friend introduced me to a business venture where I could work from anywhere and earn.
The universe must have read my thoughts because this business was perfect for what I wanted to do.
Apart from selling young athletes the idea that they were great when they could barely run, I have never sold anything. Well, that doesn’t count as selling, and I have an eye for spotting talented athletes years before they even knew they could be good at sports. So I only plant ideas and help them grow.
Selling travel is a different ballgame. Although people are always traveling, it takes a great deal of effort to find customers, gain their trust, and establish a mutually beneficial relationship.
Competition from online booking platforms and the perception that travel agents are obsolete make it even more daunting.
I decided to research marketing ideas to improve my chances of getting some level of success.
While researching, I discovered that many people were living their dreams, traveling, and blogging.
I also discovered that there are few Jamaican travel bloggers. As a result, most information about travel on the island was by foreigners.
So here I am, taking on the challenge and filling that gap.
I never thought of what it takes to create a blog until now.
It is challenging.
Not the fastest learner in the class, but I am getting the hang of it. The possibilities are exciting.
No, I did not quit my job and started traveling and blogging full-time, if you are wondering.
I love teaching and coaching, especially coaching, so I don’t intend to stop anytime soon.
But who knows what the future holds? My travel ambitions extend beyond the borders of Jamaica. So doing both may not be an option.
Join me on this adventure.
Thanks for dropping by.