More events and conferences, improving the quality of tourism product and luring more interstate and overseas visitors through Newcastle Airport are on the agenda for the new Board of Destination Port Stephens (DPS).

New Chairman of the Board Andrew Macdonald – owner and manager of The Nelson Resort will join four new Directors: Michael Aylmer from Port Stephens Accommodation, Matthew Findlay from Newcastle Airport, Michael Hogg from Port Stephens Paddlesports and Alicia Cameron from Little Beach Boathouse.

Completing the nine-member Board are current Directors Deborah Stretton from D’Albora Marinas, Simon Glover from Mercure Newcastle Airport and Janelle Gardner and Mike McIntosh from Port Stephens Council.

The DPS Board is backed by the recently appointed Destination Marketing Manager for DPS, Danny Eather.

New DPS Chairman Andrew Macdonald said he had been a Board Director for six years but was looking forward to his first term as Chairman to expand Port Stephens’ thriving $400 million-a-year visitor economy.

“We boast outstanding natural assets in Port Stephens but by developing and evolving our product and lifting its quality, we can take our brand to the next level and attract higher-yielding visitors.”

In partnership with Newcastle Airport, we’re also focused on leveraging the airport to open up new domestic and international markets for our region,” Mr Macdonald said.

Danny Eather said the organisation was working to build a strong, all-year events calendar and lure more corporate conferencing business to Port Stephens to highlight the region as an all-season destination.

“With our pristine beaches and blue, dolphin-filled waters, Port Stephens is always popular in summer but our mission is to ensure there is always something to see and do here year-round and to ensure domestic international markets know that,” he said.

“We are also keen to build our relationship with the local business sector and wider community to ensure the visitor experience is of a consistently high standard.”

The new Board will meet on November 28 to focus on strategic planning for Port Stephens.

For information on Destination Port Stephens and its $100 memberships for businesses, visit www.portstephenstourism.com.au