Ecotourism NZ this week unleashed www.ecotourismnz.com which aims to support tourism operators, stimulate debate and raise awareness of issues relevant to New Zealand's ecotourism industry.

West Coast-based Ecotourism NZ says in a press release that it is New Zealand's foremost centre for ecotourism education and industry-based training.

Initiated by Tai Poutini Polytechnic in 2002, it has grown to become a centre of excellence to support the burgeoning ecotourism sector through education, training and business support initiatives.

Ecotourism NZ chairman Brian MacKenzie says ecotourism is the fastest growing sector of the New Zealand tourism industry, with 2000 to 3000 new jobs expected to be created in the next five years.

"The challenge for the industry now is to prove it can keep ahead of that demand."

He says www.ecotourismnz.com will be a useful tool for operators, environmentalists and individuals interested in ecotourism. The website is designed to be interactive and informative. It includes links to sites of interest, web logs from national and international ecotourism and environmental experts, and YouTube postings of relevant short movie clips. An operator directory and a forum to discuss issues facing the industry is also planned.

The website launch comes ahead of Tai Poutini Polytechnic's annual Ecotourism in New Zealand Conference to be held in Greymouth from 1 to 3 August.

www.ecotourismnz.com