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
Bay of Plenty Steamers The quarter finals were scrapped from 2009. Bay of Plenty would have mixed results in 2010. They would win seven of thirteen matches including a rare win in Wellington. Disappointing losses to Tasman and Northland would see Bay of Plenty finish in 6th position. In 2011 Bay of Plenty competed in the new reformatted ITM Cup Premiership. It was also Bay of Plenty's rugby centenary year. Bay of Plenty would have significant wins over Waikato (36–8), Wellington (32–0) and Canterbury (35–31) to see the Steamers finish 4th. However, due to the 2011 Rugby World Cup the semi-finals were scrapped. 2012