Editorial: Bay's appeal growing daily

The Mount Maunganui Main Beach has been voted one of the top four beaches in the South Pacific.

2014 seems like the year when the rest of the world wakes up to what we residents already know: the Bay is one of the best places in the world to live.

Not least because of its climate.

As I write this in singlet, shorts and jandals much of the rest of New Zealand has hauled out its merino and stoked up the log fire. Today Sonya Bateson reports on page 3 we are enjoying record temperatures for early April.

It is not just the climate we can boast about. Earlier this year we reported the Bay had its best cruise ship season ever, with 50 per cent of ship visitors staying in the region and boosted the local economy to the tune of $45m.

Our beaches are world famous. Last month we reported Mount Maunganui Main Beach had been voted one of the top four beaches in the South Pacific, and the number one beach in New Zealand by leading international holiday review website TripAdvisor.

This is unbiased feedback as the internet site posts millions of holidaymaker reviews.

The Bay is attracting workers. Last week we reported the Bay of Plenty ranked in the top three of the most popular places to work for Kiwis willing to shift to get a better job, according to a nationwide survey commissioned by Trade Me. The survey also showed 70 per cent of Bay workers were happy in their jobs - above Auckland and Wellington.

Tourism Bay of Plenty has revealed its ambitious plan to boost the region's $530 million tourism industry and claim Northland's spot as one of the top five places to visit in New Zealand.

Tourism Bay of Plenty general manager Rhys Arrowsmith said a growing cruise ship industry, the Bay's vibrant shopping and beach scene and reputation as an "intrepid" place to visit were already boosting tourist numbers, with the region experiencing the biggest growth in tourism in the country in January.

Mr Arrowsmith said the goal was achievable by 2020.

It may be ambitious, but it is something we can all work towards.