What Wollongong Wants was an important part of his speech on Tuesday when Destination Wollongong chairman and director Matt Davidson stood down from the board after his second stint in the role.
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Mr Davidson's resignation coincides with a change in structure and funding agreement.
A new chairman will soon be appointed when details about the new agreement, seen as a positive step forward for the Wollongong tourism industry, are announced.
Mr Davidson, of Topline Tourism, thanked all of the previous and past directors he had worked with for their service and congratulated the board for its success in securing long term funding and significant achievements during the past few years.
"I'm extremely proud to have been a part of the changes in the organisation since being first elected to the board in 2007," he said.
But Mr Davidson said Destination Wollongong now had the security of a solid new funding relationship and the structure to move forward strategically.
So for him the time was right to step aside.
"It's really time for me to re-focus on my business interests," he said.
"It will be no surprise to hear that I still have a great passion for seeing the visitor economy grow to become an even more significant part of the Illawarra's future. I believe we've set the groundwork and set up the organisation to continue delivering on its service promise to Wollongong City Council, but also to be the driver and motivator of significant change in the region."
Mr Davidson said the Destination Development Plan was an exciting and aspirational document that was ahead of its time.
"Our attitude as a region has to move away from thinking that footpaths and toilet blocks somehow constitute tourism infrastructure and instead get serious about the major projects that will ensure the Illawarra grows to become a leading regional tourism destination," Mr Davidson said.
Mr Davidson said Wollongong needed to create a waterfront tourism precinct around Belmore Basin and City Beach to connect to the city centre.
"We absolutely need power and water and a cafe at Mt Keira lookout and of course we should have a gondola there too, plus a convention centre for Wollongong and a regional airport."
Mr Davidson acknowledged Greg Binskin and Mark Sleigh as tourism managers during his time on the board.
"Destination Wollongong ... has been very lucky to enjoy the service of two of the most passionate people you could meet," he said.
"I also want to acknowledge the strategic role that Greg Doyle has played in truly engaging with us over the past eight years."
