Green tourism wilting: ecotourism leaders

Green tourism in Australia is wilting thanks to poor fertilisation from the industry and meagre drip feeding from government, Ecotourism Australia (EA) warns.

The world renowned body says climate change fatigue has set in across Australia.

EA believes efforts by individual operators to adapt to climate change are being held back by a lack of mainstream initiative, and no concrete government support for businesses which are putting environmental initiates into practice.

"Travellers need compelling reasons to visit and travel within Australia," said EA chief Kym Cheatham.

"But there is not one project within a government tourism department in Australia to support and build the profile of the environmentally sustainable tourism operators who are world leaders in this regard."

Her comments come in the lead up to EA's Asia Pacific conference in Sydney next week.

"Our environmental certification was a world first, and has been recognised and awarded internationally, yet the tourism operators who participate in this program are still considered as special interest or a niche product in Australia," she said.

Ms Cheatham said the recent Global Green Economy Index, which surveyed 27 countries, ranked Australia third in perception of green tourism, but only tenth in performance.

"Climate change fatigue has set in across the community.

"We have been distracted by a tumultuous political agenda and a series of headline grabbing events around the world, but we mustn't allow this to sidetrack meaningful industry transformation."

Conference convenor Tony Charters said Australia will never beat its competitors on price, particularly in the Asia Pacific region.

"Having pioneered the concept of ecotourism we now have to follow New Zealand's lead by delivering products to the very highest standard," he said.

New Zealand topped both the perception and performance index for tourism in the Global Green Economy Index.

The four-day Global Eco Asia Pacific conference from November 7, is part of the 20th birthday celebrations for Ecotourism Australia.