We’re thrilled to share a special contribution on viral wins to the TBEX blog from Tanganyika Wildlife Park, one of Wichita’s most unique and unforgettable attractions. Known for its hands-on, up-close encounters with rare and endangered species, Tanganyika offers experiences that connect travelers, families, and storytellers alike to the wonders of wildlife.

Why the Unexpected Travels Further Online

Forget Paris sunsets and Bali swings, your next viral post might come from a penguin swim in Kansas.
Travel pages are dotted with the same Insta-famous spots, making it harder to stand out in an algorithm-packed feed. Do you tap into rarity, regional pride, and surprise to transform overlooked spots into breakout content? In this blog, we’ll share tactics, tools, and examples you can replicate.

Rarity Wins Over Repetition

Rare experiences outperform even the most iconic backdrops because novelty sparks curiosity. When we surveyed potential travelers about visiting Tanganyika Wildlife Park, we explained the park’s premise and asked if it was a place they would consider visiting. Then we hit them with the follow-up:

“What if we told you this place was in Kansas?”

Overwhelmingly, they responded that our location made us an even MORE intriguing destination. We continue to see this in what content performs the best for us. Videos and posts about our penguin swim consistently outperform others.

In 2019, Only In Your State posted a short post about swimming with penguins in Kansas. The post got amazing engagement, and we had visitors from across the state come to discover us.

Jackie’s Adventures In Oklahoma went a step further and highlighted the uniqueness of the experience, and saw seven times more views than her average video.

You don’t need famous landmarks—you need something they’ve never scrolled past before.

Hidden Gems Build More Than Clicks

People treasure and share places that feel like a secret. From secret beaches to hidden gardens to hole-in-the-wall eateries, people are craving a discovery. They want to be the ones to tell their friends about the new place they discovered that no one knows about.

Even more, they want experiences without crowds, lines, overflowing parking, or long waits. In our market research, we’ve found that highlighting the fact that we’re not a national brand but can create Disney-level memories entices guests to visit the park. Guests at Tanganyika often say, “We thought this place was fake!” and spread the word.

It’s not easy to find the hidden gems, as I’m sure many travel writers already know.

Break Stereotypes, Break the Internet

The “Wow, that’s in where?!” factor fuels viral sharing. There’s a magical energy that comes with the “Wait—this is in Kansas?!” reaction. It’s curiosity plus surprise. Midwest creators such as @MidwestTravelMama and @JackiesAdventuresinOK capitalize on this by leaning into the unexpected: presenting extraordinary experiences in places people never imagine. That tension, where an out-of-the-way location meets extraordinary narrative, is prime algorithmic tinder.

Consider a hook like: “The most unforgettable experience… in [unexpected place]?”

That question alone invites engagement, pauses, clicks, saves, comments, as viewers confront a delightful cognitive mismatch. Surprise meets relevance, and the result is shareable content.

Blend Familiar With the Unexpected

The best content mixes a relatable premise with an uncommon twist. The most compelling content pieces begin with a familiar setup: a family zoo trip, a romantic getaway, or even a childhood bucket list dream. But then…you can swim with penguins in Kansas. Suddenly, these setups aren’t just scroll-stoppers, they’re share magnets.

Here’s an example, “Think casting a spell at Hogwarts is immersive? Try having a lemur on your lap in Kansas.”

Here’s the framework you can recreate to make this work for you:

Familiar format + Unexpected detail = Shareable content

It’s that setup-meets-surprise that hooks attention and builds retention. That unexpected detail transforms a predictable post into unforgettable storytelling.

How to Uncover Your Next Viral Hidden Gem

Start with three simple questions:

What’s rare here? Where does novelty lie in your region?
What’s emotionally unforgettable? What makes someone feel something?
What’s located in a place people don’t expect?

Then, dig:

Dive into Reddit threads and small communities
Connect with local tourism boards, community Facebook groups, and hyper-local blogs
Most of all, craft your story around feeling, not just facts. Let readers sense the cool water, hear the penguins, laugh at the unexpected.

The Big Win Is in the Small Place

Your next breakout travel post doesn’t need the world’s most famous skyline—it needs an unexpected, authentic story. TBEX – Wichita will provide attendees with loads of original and surprising experiences that are dripping with midwestern hospitality.

The formula? Originality + Surprise + Relatability.

Whether it’s penguins in Kansas or unexpected luxury in your own backyard, the hidden gem effect holds, from algorithms to eyeballs to hearts. Tell that story right, and you might just be the next breakout creator the world didn’t see coming.

Just remember, striking gold doesn’t come without risks, and also some striking out. So get out there and look for the hidden gems.