Vivian Sakko
Vivian Sakko graduated cum laude with a BSc in Tourism (Wageningen University & Breda University of Applied Sciences) before completing her master’s degree in Tourism, Society & Environment at Wageningen University in 2024.
Her master’s thesis, “Vibrant tales that connect us all through folklore tourism: A case study into the folklore-centric gaze using animism”, was awarded the Dr. Albert van der Zeijden thesis prize 2024 (Dutch Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage & Utrecht University). It also took second place for the ATLAS Master thesis prize 2025. She is currently adapting this work for publication as a scientific article.
Vivian currently works as a self-employed project leader on a regional tourism project linked to her research, yet she remains open to other endeavours. Her areas of interest include tourism experiences, heritage, nature, storytelling, sustainability, education, resident participation, sense of place, place-making, and visitor/destination management.
In what ways might supernatural folktales — and their animist characteristics — influence residents’ and tourists’ perceptions of and behaviours within landscapes?
Vivian Sakko investigated this question on the Isle of Skye, Scotland, for an award-winning master’s thesis about folklore tourism …
Read More Re-awakening: How can vibrant tales connect us all through folklore tourism?