At the recent Hunter and Central Coast Tourism Awards the former marketing manager for Destination Port Stephens took out the accolade for outstanding contribution to the industry by an individual.

It comes two months after Mr Bylhouwer took a step back from Destination Port Stephens, 18 years after first being employed by Port Stephens Council to market the area.

Mr Bylhouwer's position with Destination Port Stephens was made redundant after a restructure between the council and the organisation.

"From a council perspective my position was redundant," Mr Bylhouwer said.

"I looked at it and for a host of personal and professional reasons thought instead of fighting, I would let it go.

"I needed a break and I was not going to make the mistake of working until I burned out."

Mr Bylhouwer said he left on good terms with both the council and Destination Port Stephens.

The father of two teenage boys has left his stamp on the Port's tourism industry.

When he was first employed by the council in 1996, he pushed to get the Port on the international map by targeting the inbound market. He said at the time not many places were pushing to get international travellers to their destinations, but now it is common practice.

Mr Bylhouwer said highlights of working with Destination Port Stephens during the years has been achieving the number three spot in NSW for short stays and developing the management plan, which he hopes will serve as his legacy.

"My heart and soul went into developing the Destination Management Plan," he said.

"I wanted to leave on a high, wanted to leave a legacy. I hope that is it."

Mr Bylhouwer is still president of the Australian Institute of Tourism.