The World Trails Network is choosing a host for its 2030 flagship conference. European Trails is coordinating the European bid and we’re looking for a partner destination to co-host with us.
Join us at the conference!
What is the World Trails Conference?
WTN’s flagship event brings together passionate experts, dedicated destination managers, and enthusiastic tourism practitioners every two years for inspiring keynotes, engaging workshops, and exhilarating trail outings.
Why host
Why host WTC 2030
Global visibility. Delegates from 30+ countries, plus exposure across WTN’s full international network.
Direct economic impact. Hotel, venue, catering, and transport bookings, plus cash and in-kind sponsorship that comes with hosting an international conference.
A stronger position in sustainable tourism funding. EU programs like Horizon Europe and Interreg are actively funding trail tourism. Hosting WTC puts your destination in front of the people making those funding decisions.
Direct access to global best practice. Your trail managers and tourism operators get sustained, direct contact with international peers, not just a one-off event.
Bring local partners together, share your experience and learn from others.
Who does what?
European Trails and the partner destination would jointly organise and promote the conference, with complementary responsibilities.
European Trails: programme and international promotion
European Trails would contribute to the conference programme through knowledge sessions, trail experiences and a hiking event, and work alongside the destination to market the conference internationally.
Partner destination: venue and local delivery
The partner destination would provide the event venue, pay the conference licence fee to the World Trails Network, and cover local conference costs, including catering and shuttle transport.
Shared responsibilities
Both partners would prepare the joint bid to the World Trails Network and collaborate on conference organisation and marketing. Delivery of the event would depend on the bid being selected.
Where WTC has been
2024 in Ottawa, Canada
The 2024 conference brought together 410 participants from 30 countries, with 100 sessions over four days.
2022 in Skiathos, Greece
2018 in Santiago de Compostela, Spain
2010–2015 Jeju, 2016 Tottori
Looking ahead:
2026, Perth/Boorloo, Western Australia
2028, TBA at the WTC 2026 in Perth
2030, Host destination to be decided
How to apply
How to apply
Getting to WTC 2030 is a two-stage process.
Stage 1: Apply to co-host. Submit your application to European Trails through 31 October 2026.
Stage 2: Joint bid to WTN. European Trails and the selected partner region submit a joint bid to the World Trails Network in early-mid 2027.
Timeline
What could hosting mean for your region?
For destination managers, tourism bodies and local authorities, hosting an international conference raises a bigger question: what should it contribute to the region after delegates have gone home?
A joint bid for the World Trails Conference 2030 is an opportunity to consider three ambitions:
Bring local partners together
Use a shared project to connect municipalities, tourism organisations, trail managers and local businesses around your region’s priorities for trails and outdoor tourism.
Share your experience and learn from others
What could your destination contribute to an international exchange? Your experience could involve trail maintenance, visitor management, accessibility or cooperation with local communities. The challenges you are still working on can be part of the conversation too.
Connect the event to a longer-term ambition
Consider how hosting could support existing plans for your region. What relationships, knowledge or shared priorities would you want to remain after the conference?
Could this fit your region’s ambitions?
European Trails is seeking a partner destination to develop a joint bid for the World Trails Conference 2030. Selection as the European partner is the first step; the final hosting decision rests with the World Trails Network.