$500,000 has been budgeted by the State Government to upskill trainers and workers in tourism and hospitality in sustainable practices.

"Sustainable tourism has a low impact on the environment and local culture while helping to generate income and employment for the community," Minister for Tourism, Peter Lawlor said.

"Queensland's tourism industry contributes $9.2 billion to the Queensland economy and directly and indirectly accounts for around 222,000 jobs making it vitally important that it continues long into the future.

"The new online program has been developed for teachers and trainers from TAFE institutes, private training providers and schools, to ensure they have the skills necessary to deliver sustainable tourism training.

"This will ensure tourism and hospitality worker s have the skills and knowledge needed to introduce sustainable practices into their workplaces.

The funding will apply from August 2010 and enables up to 400 people to train in sustainability.

"Participants will be able to select from five units of competency in environmental sustainability that cover the varying needs of tourism and hospitality business owners and senior managers, supervisors and frontline managers, and operational employees," Mr Lawlor said.

"In addition, all new and continuing tourism and hospitality students will be able to choose the sustainability units as part of their normal training pathway from January 1, 2011."