Port Stephens Tourism Changes to enhance visitors experiences Medowie & Tilligerry News Of The Area Port Stephens LGA Raymond Terrace, Heatherbrae, Tomago by News Of The Area - Modern Media - November 2, 2017 Destination Port Stephens members Beth Hedge of Place Property Management, Michael Aylmer of Place Property Management, former Mayor Bob Westbury and Mike Francis of the Port Stephens Community Arts Centre. Photo by Marian Sampson. DESTINATION Port Stephens members gathered to make changes to the constitution which will see representation on the board of management change from 2018. Modern Media: Advertise with News Of The Area and you get your ad in 1) in Print, 2) on the News Website (like this ad), and 3) on our Social Media news site. A much more efficient way to advertise. Reach a HUGE audience for a LOW price TODAY! Call us on 02 4983 2134. Or media@newsofthearea.com.au Or CLICK FOR ADVERT QUOTE The various categories represented on the board will be removed. Destination Port Stephens member and tourism operator Frank Future of Imagine Cruises was voted onto the board with a margin of one vote beating Elyse Larkham of Moonshadow Cruises. Frank Future told News Of The Area, “I believe that the greatest benefit to tourism in this region will be the establishment of a World Heritage Listing for Port Stephens.” He believes that the region can achieve the listing in the next few years. “The other thing I would like to see is the establishment of an interpretive centre which focuses on nature, and our cultural history including the Worimi history,” he said. Danny Eather of Destination Port Stephens told the forum, “Visitation numbers are heading in the right direction with overnight accommodation rates up by 51%.” He believes that the release of a Trail Guide App for Port Stephens will help day visitors to explore the region and encourage additional overnight stays. “The launch of the Trail Guides interactive App will help people to discover the gems spread across the vast Port Stephens region,” he said. Port Stephens Mayor Ryan Palmer said, “Destination Port Stephens has had a successful year marketing the area, and working to promote the key events in Port Stephens; as Council brings more events in coming years we will be looking for Destination Port Stephens to be right on board supporting the events and our community,” he said. While the office is at Nelson Bay Destination Port Stephens markets the whole of Port Stephens including Medowie, Raymond Terrace, and Hinton. You can find out more about Destination Port Stephens and what’s happening in Port Stephens at www.portstephens.org.au. By Marian SAMPSON