Engaging young minds: how tour guides use humour to co-create on-site interpretation for children

This study explores the role of humour in providing participative interpretation and how it can enhance children’s learning experience in tourism based on insights collected from Iranian tour guides and tour managers who specifically cater to children as a tourism demographic. The findings reveal that humour contributes to the co-creation of interpretive experiences between the tour guide and children, through four humour-driven strategies. However, some challenges require consideration when using humour with children. The findings are elaborated in a conceptual framework, followed by a comprehensive examination of the theoretical and practical implications. Overall, this study adds to the discourse on children and tourism, providing valuable insights into how humour can facilitate the development of meaningful participative experiences for children in tourism settings.