Bay of Plenty of less than $20,000, compared with 43.2% of people nationally. Unemployment was at 6.1% of people 15 years or older, compared with 5.1% nationally. The Bay of Plenty is a popular holiday destination due to the warm and sunny summer climate and public beaches. The Bay of Plenty received over 645,000 tourists in 2003, equivalent to one in three visitors to New Zealand coming to the region. Rotorua is a popular destination for international visitors, in particular the surrounding geothermal areas and Māori cultural centres. Tauranga is a popular domestic tourism destination, and also becoming popular internationally. Whale watching has
Radio Bay of Plenty band music and "beautiful music". One Double X became a major source of information for Bay of Plenty residents during the 1987 Edgecumbe earthquake. Local newsreader Chris Bullen provided an initial report on 2 March that "a series of what the D.S.I.R. describes as major earthquakes have hit the Eastern Bay of Plenty this afternoon". The station was taken off-air for 30 to 40 minutes due to a landline disconnection, but a radio link allowed the station to get back on air. Announcer Cliff Stockwell and newsreader Chris Bullen hosted around-the-clock coverage, while outdoor broadcast equipment allowed staff to provide