Perth in Western Australia has won the rights to host the World Trails Conference in 2026, taking the biennial industry event to the southern hemisphere for the first time.
Set to take place in Perth from 19-22 October, 2026, the conference will showcase WA’s trails and tourism destinations, bringing up to 600 trail experts together who influence trails and nature-based tourism globally.
The trails industry makes a significant contribution to economies around the world and is a major employer, with the US leading the way with $135bn in economic value generated through trail-based activities, and more than 725,000 associated jobs.
Under the title “Trails for the Future: Connection, Culture and Conservation,” the conference will be hosted by Outdoors WA, the body for the outdoor industry in Western Australia.
The industry in Western Australia generates $1.1bn for the economy.
“Western Australia is home to some of the world’s most stunning and culturally significant trails, with over 1,000 sanctioned trails across the state and 391 within an hour’s drive of Perth,” said Neil Le Febvre, CEO at Outdoors WA.
“That makes us a real trails paradise and internationally, we are held in high regard for our strategic coordination across government and community in both our trail development, and our technical prowess.
“We’re excited to bring the best minds in the industry together from around the globe to both experience our world-class trails and inspire our local trails industry to even greater heights by sharing global best practices.”
Up to 600 delegates from 35 different countries are expected to attend, comprising tourism professionals, government policy makers, NGOS, conservationists, and Indigenous leaders to explore the future of trails, nature-based tourism and sustainable land management.
Key themes will include trail tourism best practice, learning connection to country from First Nations, conservation, technology and regenerative land management.
The conference will see international and local trail experts sharing insights on trail development, maintenance and management, Indigenous knowledge, and environmental stewardship.
There will also be guided trail walks, pre-conference tours, and opportunities to explore WA’s iconic landscapes.
The event will bring together trail managers, policymakers, researchers, and outdoor industry professionals, while engaging with businesses, tourism operators, and government agencies to strengthen global trail networks.
Conference organisers are looking for speakers, sponsors, and attendees from around the world to take part in the event. Early-bird registrations and sponsorship opportunities will be announced soon.
For more information, visit https://worldtrailsnetwork.org/ or email conference@worldtrailsnetwork.org.
