World Trails Conference 2026

Perth, Western Australia has won the rights to host the World Trails Conference in 2026 bringing the prestigious biennial industry event to the southern hemisphere for the first time.

Call for Participation

Set to take place in Perth from 19-22 October 2026, the conference will showcase WA’s world-class trails and tourism destinations, bringing up to 600 trail experts together who influence trails and nature-based tourism globally.

The conference opens on Monday, 19 October 2026, with a day of experiential field workshops that offer delegates the chance to walk some of Western Australia’s trails and engage in First Nations-led cultural experiences.

The following three days (20–22 October) will feature:

• Inspiring keynote presentations
• Concurrent breakout sessions and roundtable discussions
• A dynamic trail industry exhibition
• The World Trails Film Festival Screening
• Urban trail walks to explore the best of Perth on foot
• A “last hurrah” celebration to close the event in true trail community style

The trails industry drives a significant contribution to economies around the world and is a major employer, with the USA leading the way with USD$135bh in economic value generated through trail-based activities and over 725,000 associated jobs.

Nature-based tourist are one of the primary target markets for tourism in Western Australia as a high yielding traveller and the conference provides the opportunity to position WA at the forefront of the international trails scene.

“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.”

Under the banner of “Trails for the Future: Connection, Culture and Conservation”, the conference will be hosted by Outdoors WA, the peak body for the outdoor industry in Western Australia and will celebrate the deep connection to country that has been nurtured for over 65,000 years.

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.

Conference highlights will include:

• Renowned Keynote Speakers: International and local trail experts sharing insights on trail tourism, technology, trail development, maintenance and management, Indigenous knowledge, and environmental stewardship.
• Immersive Experiences: Guided trail walks, pre-conference tours, and opportunities to explore WA’s iconic landscapes.
• Networking & Knowledge Sharing: Bringing together trail managers, policymakers, researchers, and outdoor industry professionals.

• Sponsorship & Partnerships: Engaging with businesses, tourism operators, and government agencies to strengthen global trail networks.

Call for Participation

Conference organisers invite speakers, sponsors, and attendees from around the world to take part in shaping the future of trails. Early-bird registrations and sponsorship opportunities will be announced soon.

For more information, visit https://worldtrailsconference.org/ or email conference@worldtrailsnetwork.org.

Outdoors WA is the peak body for the outdoors industry in Western Australia.  The industry comprises outdoor recreation, outdoor education and adventure tourism businesses. It contributes over $1.1bn GVA to the WA economy and reduces the burden on the WA health system by over $200M every year.

World Trails Network is a global non-profit committed to the sustainability and enjoyment of the world’s trails for all.

World Trails Conference is a product of the World Trails Network and is the only true global conference for the industry.

Media Contact:

Ashley Gibson, Marketing Manager, Outdoor WA

E: Connect@outdoorswa.org.au
M: 0417 835 157

With over 400 delegates expected from across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, WTC2026WA promises to be a transformative event for trail professionals, advocates, land managers, tourism leaders, Indigenous representatives and conservationists worldwide.