Scotland’s agritourism sector is in a mood of celebration after winning the bid to host the World Agritourism Congress in 2026. The announcement was made Friday in Bolzano, Italy, at a gathering of world leaders in agritourism representing the recently established Global Agritourism Network.
The 2026 international conference will showcase the diversity and growth of Scotland’s agritourism sector on the world stage and is expected to be attended by up to 1,000 delegates. The main conference will be held at P&J Live outside Aberdeen from 23rd to 25th June, with a pre-conference program in the Edinburgh area including a visit to the Royal Highland Show. Throughout the program you will be offered a variety of Scottish cultural activities, along with the chance to enjoy the best produce from Scottish farms and fisheries at every meal.
Pre- and post-conference tours ranging from one to 10 days are being planned, taking participants to farms and estates across Scotland, from the Orkney Islands to Dumfries and Galloway. 100 free scholarship places will be made available for visitors from developing countries to attend the conference, and Scottish farmers will open their homes to host scholars after the conference.
Lisa Chase, Chairman of the Global Agritourism Network, commented: “Scotland demonstrated a number of characteristics to deliver a very strong bid, including a focus on showcasing food and drink from agritourism farms, both on-farm and across the conference menu. The review team suggested that participants would be interested in learning about the variety of quality agritourism businesses on offer, Scotland’s connected agritourism network, the 2030 national strategy and growth ambitions, and the Monitor Farms programme. With the offer of an agritourism company to showcase Scottish hospitality and open its doors across Scotland during pre- and post-tours, and with an offer to support the participation and hosting of 100 academics on the farm, we felt there would be. The bid was very convincing.”
Caroline Miller, Scottish Agritourism Director, said: “Three years ago, when our sector and public authorities developed a national strategy on agritourism, one of our actions was to focus on building international networks and playing a leadership role globally. Holding a World Agritourism Conference before 2030 is what we would call a “big audacious goal” and that is why we will host a World Agritourism Conference in Scotland in 2026. We are very happy to be able to share our quality agritourism offering with a global audience. ”
Mairi Gojon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, said: “I am absolutely delighted that Scotland’s bid to host the 2026 Global Agritourism Conference has been successful. “We would like to extend our huge congratulations to Scotland’s great agritourism offer to international delegates. It will play a huge role in continuing to build a sustainable sector. In turn, positioning Scotland as a major player in the global agritourism sector will help sustain the future of Scottish family farming by supporting the rural economy. ”
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Pictured: Caroline Miller, Head of Agritourism, Scotland, and Stakeholder and Brand Engagement Officer, Scottish Agritourism, following the announcement of Scotland’s successful bid at the World Agritourism Congress in Bolzano, Italy. Laura Patterson. A meeting with international agritourism stakeholders.