WadNext Conference 2026
From 7 to 9 September 2026, WadNext Conference brings together policymakers, destinations, researchers and practitioners from across Europe in the UNESCO Wadden Sea Region at Ameland. Not in an anonymous conference centre, but in a place where the challenges and choices of sustainable tourism are part of everyday life.
Professionals in policy, entrepreneurship and research are coming together to explore how tourism can contribute to nature, community and the economy. The Wadden Sea region serves as both the starting point and the learning environment for this initiative.
Ilektra Kouloumpi (Doughnut Economics Action Lab) will open the conference with a keynote address on how the Doughnut Economy can guide the development of tourism within social and planetary boundaries. She will bring a systems perspective that links policy ambitions to concrete choices for destinations.
She will be joined by Stefan Hartman (NHL Stenden / European Tourism Futures Institute) and Pieter van den Beukering (Wadden Academy), who will focus on the future of tourism in the Wadden Sea region. Their keynote addresses the urgency of decision-making today — and what it means to consciously choose the direction of tourism for tomorrow.
Wadnext offers an active three-day experience combining inspiration, exchange and discovery. Throughout the programme, participants will take part in workshops, joint sessions and excursions, learning from young people’s perspectives, seven international pilot projects in the North Sea region and inspiration from the Danish Wadden Sea area. Discussions will be complemented by on-site experiences that link strategy directly to the location.
WadNext is aimed at regions, policymakers, destination organisations and researchers who wish to learn, exchange ideas and take action.
More information on www.wadnext.com