Port Stephens embraces business events

Port Stephens Tourism has adopted a new name as it looks to build the region’s profile and attract more business events to the area.

Now called Destination Port Stephens, the change comes as the tourism body adopts a more “holistic approach” to tourism with a stronger focus on building bonds with the business community.

Attracting more business events and conferences to the region and increasing the length of stay are central to the five-year plan. New infrastructure is also in the pipeline.

Announcing the changes last week, Destination Port Stephens Chairman Michael Aylmer said the new approach would help to boost demand for business events and ultimately grow the region’s $377 million tourism industry.

“Our task is to build supply and grow demand, particularly for conference business and visitation outside Christmas, Easter and school holidays,” he said.

“We are embarking on an exciting new path that will integrate our role with all facets of the local community and business sector, see us facilitate new infrastructure and tourism product and help us spread the many benefits of tourism across all layers of the Port Stephens economy,” Aylmer added.

The name change comes on the back of the ‘P.S. I Love You’ marketing campaign, which has been successful in promoting the region’s wildlife and environment since its inception two years ago.

“Destination Port Stephens will go further to shape a broader and stronger tourism industry to maximise the full potential of the destination we love,” Aylmer concluded.