Case four

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Authors: Moniek Hover, Wim Strijbosch
Cited by: 0

Abstract

This chapter explores the case of a safari park located in Western Europe, offering visitors a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the natural world. The park aims to inspire not only admiration for the animals but also a deeper appreciation for nature as a whole. By fostering this connection, the park hopes to encourage a genuine wish and willingness to protect what visitors come to love. Central to safari park’s mission are the park rangers, who serve as the primary communicators of their passion for animals and nature. An experiment was conducted during a safari bus tour, where ranger Debbie shared either her personal story or a narrative about an endangered animal. Both versions concluded with a call to three simple actions that visitors could take after their visit. Each story version was crafted using a five-step storytelling model. The results showed that ranger Debbie’s personal story had a greater impact on visitor experience and willingness to act than the animal-focused story. The assignments in this chapter revolve around live storytelling within the contexts of leisure, tourism, and cultural heritage. Students will learn how to apply storytelling techniques to create meaningful experiences that can inspire real-world change.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Diverse Aspects of Tourism Research Media Influence and Health Museums and Cultural Heritage

Publication details

Journal / source
Routledge eBooks
Pages
34–46
Publication date
19 January 2026
Language
EN
Document type
Book chapter