Scotland's agritourism sector is celebrating after winning a bid to host the World Agritourism Conference in 2026. The announcement was made in Bolzano, Italy on Friday 27 May, at a gathering of world leaders in agritourism, who represent the recently formed Global Agritourism Network.
The international conference will showcase the diversity and growth of Scotland's agritourism sector on a world stage and it's expected that up to 1000 delegates will attend.
The main conference will take place at the P&J Live, in Aberdeen, from 23-25 June, with a pre-conference programme in the Edinburgh area to include a visit to the Royal Highland Show. A range of Scottish cultural activities will be offered throughout the programme along with the opportunity to enjoy the best of Scotland's farm and fishing produce during every meal.
Pre and post conference tours, ranging from one to 10 days in length, have been developed which will welcome delegates on to farms and crofts in every part of Scotland from Orkney to Dumfries and Galloway. 100 free scholarship places will be made available for visitors from developing countries to attend the conference with Scottish farmers opening their homes to host scholars post conference.
Caroline Millar, Scottish Agritourism Sector Lead and Laura Paterson, Head of Stakeholder & Brand Engagement, (fourth and fifth from left) with international agritourism colleagues.
Commenting on the reasons Scotland was chosen to be the host destination for 2026, Lisa Chase, Chair of the Global Agritourism Network said:
"Scotland demonstrated many features to deliver an extremely strong bid including a key focus on showcasing food and drink from agritourism farms, both on farm and throughout conference menus.
The review team felt delegates would be interested in learning about the diversity of quality agritourism businesses on offer, Scotland's connected agritourism network, the 2030 national strategy and growth ambition and monitor farms programme.
The offer of agritourism businesses to showcase Scottish hospitality and to open their doors throughout all of Scotland during the pre and post tour as well as the offer to support one hundred scholars made the bid very compelling."
This exciting news marks an important milestone in Scotland’s growing reputation as an agritourism destination. We’ve been working closely with businesses to help develop and market those unique and authentic experiences we know visitors are seeking and that many of our country’s farms and crofts are perfectly placed to offer.
This conference will now help showcase that work to delegates across the world, creating opportunities to share learnings while allowing attendees to enjoy Scotland’s famous hospitality, delicious farm produce and unmissable agritourism offering.