Travel stories need quotes (or quotations).
I don’t mean those inspirational travel quotes you see on Instagram, or an estimated price for a two-week cruise. I mean direct speech by a named person that brings a story alive.
Quotes like these add authenticity, provide alternative perspectives and break up long pieces of text, helping the story move along. They help differentiate original writing from generic AI content.
It’s important not to add in a quote just for the sake of it. Quotes need to be strong. But what does that mean?
It means quotes must enhance a story.
How to choose an interviewee
First, choose the appropriate person to speak to. Relevant experts or people in positions of authority such as a tourism board director or tour guide are good examples.
While writing about Alaska for World of Cruising, I spoke to Alex Johnson, a guide at Alaska Raptor Centre in Sitka, who explained why the birds’ enclosure was open to the elements.
Here’s the quote: “The rain mimics their natural environment, as they’ll be released back into the wild one day,” says Alex.
Locals know an area best, and can offer lively insights. While writing about my former hometown, Hiroshima, for World of Cruising, I quoted yoga instructor Misa Suzuki, who gave readers an insider tip: “Delve into the streets behind Hondori to discover shops selling calligraphy scrolls, kokeshi dolls and vintage clothes.”
Creatives such as fashion designers or artists tend to be particularly useful for providing quotes – as mentioned in my post on how travel writers think of ideas for travel stories.
Source strong quotes by speaking to interviewees face to face
The strongest quotes come from speaking to people face to face in natural settings – a woodblock printer in their workshop, say. But that’s not always possible. The environment may be too noisy, not private enough or your desired interviewee may live in another country.
The next best option is a video call.
If you have to contact an interviewee over social media or email, avoid using the word ‘quote’ as that may encourage them to formulate a prepared, unnatural statement.
Instead, just ask them questions, and use their answers as their quote.
How to introduce an interviewee
Introduce a speaker before they speak for the first time; otherwise readers will wonder who’s talking while they’re reading, which is distracting. This example is from a story I wrote about the Gulf in World of Cruising:
Tour guide Abir Abusulayman says, “Arriving in Al Balad is like stepping back in time. To experience it, spend time chatting to locals. There’s lots to discover, as each historic house has a story to tell. Its culinary scene is also special; Al Harbi, Shawarma Al Arkan and Sobia Clay are some of my favourite places to eat.”
If the speaker uses an unfamiliar term or acronym readers won’t understand, ask them to clarify what they mean in their own words. Alternatively, briefly explain it before or after the quote.
I did this in my Gulf story. My words: “Order a plate of machboos – tender chunks of chicken, lamb or fish marinated in spices and served with basmati rice.”
The interviewee then said: “This dish is the epitome of local cuisine and it resonates with the soul of the island,” says Scott.
Take care not to repeat a point in a quote by explaining it.
Ensure quotes are original
Avoid using quotes from a press release.
“I’m delighted to announce the launch of…” is generic, obvious and doesn’t serve a purpose – it’s not useful, entertaining or persuasive. Competitors may use it, and search engines penalise websites for repetitive content. Besides, subscribers won’t want to read lines they may have read elsewhere for free.
Don’t steal quotes from another writer, either. They may be inaccurate, it’s not professional and unfair: the writer has done the work, finding the interviewee, requesting their permission, setting up the interview and transcribing it.
The moral of the story? Always ensure quotes are original.
Quotes should evoke the senses
Travel writing relies on the senses to bring a scene to life. Describing aromas, sounds, flavours and sensations transforms a place from a few lines on a screen to a 3D experience in your readers’ minds.
Here’s an example from a former resident of Qatar, taken from World of Cruising:
“As the sun sets, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, Doha’s skyline forms a breathtaking backdrop. The sound of gentle waves lapping against the shore and the distant buzz of the city create a soothing yet lively atmosphere. The smell of the sea, mixed with the scent of local cuisine from nearby food stalls, provides a memorable Qatari experience.”
Quotes should be opinionated
Opinions make great quotes, and the stronger the opinion, the stronger your story.
If an interviewee provides their opinion, then cut “I think” or “I believe”. That’s obvious.
Here’s a strong example of an opinionated quote by an Indigenous Sami in Arctic Sweden. It’s from Lennart Pittja, who I interviewed for National Geographic Traveller:
“Does wearing traditional clothes make you more or less Sami? In the past, I felt like I dressed up for money. But no tourist should ever decide what clothes I should wear. I need to have that right.”
Quotes should be emotional
The most powerful and memorable quotes convey emotions such as fear, desperation, triumph or anger.
Lennart also talked about the injustice Sami people have faced – his father was beaten at school if he spoke Sami, for example. Here are some extracts from the interview:
“I was really angry when I was young. I’m still pissed to be honest. There are so many things that are still wrong. The West is not making changes quickly enough [regarding global warming] – it affects the snow, it is going to affect us all.”
“We have been here long before Sweden was Sweden. There’s no proof we gave away the rights to our land or our fishing rights. The state stole them.”
“Much of the forest not in the reserve has been cut down by state-run companies. We’re losing our biodiversity. Big industries don’t care about that.”
A travel writing guide: A few final thoughts on quotes
While style differs between publications, most use double quote marks to identify when someone is speaking, and single quote marks for quotes within a quote – when the speaker is quoting someone else.
Avoid quoting companies, for example, “Cunard says…” because brands can’t talk. Likewise, avoid quoting a couple such as the blogging duo behind Two Wandering Soles, for example “Katie and Ben say…” because two people can’t talk at the same time.
These rules apply to all stories, not just travel stories. Combining these with the techniques I’ve included above will help ensure you write a powerful piece of travel writing.
Want more tips? Then read my travel writing guide on how to link paragraphs.