Perth, Western Australia is preparing to welcome tourism leaders, trail experts, outdoor recreation professionals, conservation practitioners, and destination managers from around the world as the World Trails Conference 2026 arrives in the region from October 19 to 22. The international gathering will place trail tourism and nature-based travel at the center of discussions, highlighting how trails continue to shape visitor experiences, regional tourism development, and outdoor recreation economies across the globe.
Hosted by Outdoors WA on behalf of the World Trails Network, the conference will bring together stakeholders involved in the planning, management, promotion, and development of trail networks. For Perth and Western Australia, the event also provides an opportunity to showcase some of Australia’s best-known walking, cycling, and nature-based tourism experiences to an international audience.
Trail Tourism Continues to Expand Globally
Across many travel markets, trail-based tourism has become an increasingly important segment of the visitor economy. Travelers are seeking experiences that connect them with landscapes, cultural heritage, local communities, and outdoor activities.
Walking trails, cycling routes, long-distance hiking experiences, and nature corridors are attracting domestic and international visitors looking for active and immersive travel opportunities. These experiences often encourage longer stays, multi-destination itineraries, and exploration beyond major urban centers.
The World Trails Conference has developed a reputation as a leading international platform for discussing these trends and examining how trail infrastructure supports tourism growth.
Perth Showcases Western Australia’s Outdoor Tourism Assets
As delegates arrive in Perth, many will have the opportunity to experience the region’s extensive outdoor recreation offerings. Western Australia is home to a diverse network of trails that pass through forests, coastlines, national parks, wine regions, and remote landscapes.
The internationally recognized Bibbulmun Track and Munda Biddi Trail are expected to feature prominently during discussions and field experiences connected to the conference. These trail systems attract visitors from across Australia and overseas, contributing to tourism activity in regional communities throughout the state.
Beyond the trails themselves, travelers can access a wide range of tourism experiences including wildlife encounters, cultural attractions, food and wine tourism, coastal adventures, and nature-based accommodation options.
Nature-Based Tourism Gains Momentum
Nature-based tourism continues to be one of the fastest-growing segments within global travel. Visitors increasingly seek outdoor experiences that allow them to engage directly with natural environments while exploring destinations at a slower pace.
Western Australia offers a variety of landscapes that support this form of tourism, from coastal regions and forests to desert environments and biodiversity hotspots. Trails often serve as gateways to these destinations, connecting travelers with locations that may otherwise remain less accessible.
The conference will examine how destinations are responding to growing demand for outdoor recreation while managing visitor experiences and maintaining access to natural areas.
Trails Support Regional Tourism Development
One of the key tourism themes expected to emerge during the conference is the role of trails in supporting regional economies. Trail networks often encourage travelers to visit smaller communities, generating demand for accommodation, food services, transportation providers, tour operators, and local attractions.
Many destinations around the world have integrated trail systems into broader tourism development strategies. These networks can create travel routes that link multiple attractions and encourage visitors to spend more time within a region.
For Western Australia, showcasing successful examples of trail tourism provides an opportunity to demonstrate how outdoor recreation contributes to tourism activity across both metropolitan and regional destinations.
Cultural Heritage Experiences Attract Visitors
Trails are increasingly being recognized as pathways that connect visitors with cultural and historical experiences. Many routes pass through areas that reflect Indigenous heritage, historic settlements, traditional land-use practices, and significant cultural landscapes.
Tourism professionals attending the conference will explore how trail experiences can support cultural interpretation and storytelling while providing visitors with deeper connections to destinations.
Across Australia, cultural tourism remains an important component of the visitor experience, and trail networks often play a role in introducing travelers to these stories and landscapes.
International Collaboration Shapes Future Tourism Strategies
A major focus of the World Trails Conference will be the exchange of knowledge among tourism organizations, trail managers, conservation groups, and destination planners. Delegates from different regions will share approaches to trail development, visitor management, infrastructure planning, and tourism promotion.
The event’s international scope reflects the growing recognition of trails as important tourism assets. As destinations continue to invest in outdoor recreation infrastructure, collaboration between industry stakeholders has become increasingly important in supporting visitor experiences and tourism growth.
For many participants, the conference provides a platform to identify emerging travel trends and explore opportunities within the expanding outdoor tourism market.
Current Status
As of June 2026, preparations are underway for the World Trails Conference 2026, scheduled to take place in Perth, Western Australia, from October 19 to 22. The event is expected to bring global attention to trail tourism, outdoor recreation, nature-based travel, and regional tourism development while showcasing Western Australia’s extensive network of internationally recognized trails and outdoor visitor experiences.
Conclusion
Perth’s hosting of the World Trails Conference 2026 places Western Australia at the center of international discussions on trail tourism and nature-based travel. With delegates gathering from around the world to explore the future of outdoor recreation, the conference highlights the growing role of trails in shaping visitor experiences, supporting regional tourism, and connecting travelers with natural and cultural landscapes. As global demand for active and immersive travel continues to expand, trail tourism remains an increasingly important part of the international tourism landscape.
