34,000 apply for 'the best job in the world'

34,000 apply for 'the best job in the world'


A late rush of more than 7,500 applications over the weekend brought the number people hoping to become 'caretaker' of tropical Hamilton Island on the Great Barrier Reef to 34,684. -- PHOTO: AP

SYDNEY - TENS of thousands of people from more than 200 countries have applied for 'the best job in the world' - being paid to loll about on an Australian island - officials said on Monday.

A late rush of more than 7,500 applications over the weekend brought the number people hoping to become 'caretaker' of tropical Hamilton Island on the Great Barrier Reef to 34,684, the Queensland state government said.

The deadline for applications was midnight GMT Sunday (8am Singapore time, Monday).

'This has been a phenomenal response and certainly more than we ever anticipated,' Tourism Queensland chief executive Anthony Hayes.

The most interest came from the US with 11,565 applicants, followed by Canada with 2,791, Britain with 2,262 and Australia with 2,064, the government said in a statement.

Among the latest applicants were famed US crooner and movie star Dean Martin's son Ricci and a Barack Obama impersonator looking for a change of job.

Candidates had to submit a video application in English of up to one minute explaining why they are uniquely qualified for the post.

The job pays A$150,000 (about S$150,000) for six months and includes free airfares from the successful candidate's home country to the island of white sands and clear waters.

In return, the winner will be expected to have as much fun as he or she can enjoy - soaking up the sun, swimming, snorkelling, sailing - and to report to a global audience via weekly blogs, photo diaries and video updates.

The successful candidate - who will stay in a multimillion-dollar three-bedroom beach home - must be over 18, a 'fantastic and charismatic' communicator, and able to speak and write English.

The campaign is a key element in a drive to promote the northeastern Australian state's 18-billion-dollar-year tourism industry during the tough global economic climate, officials say.

A shortlist of 50 applicants will be announced on March 2, the final 11 candidates will be flown to the island for interviews from May 3, and the winner will be announced on May 6. -- AFP

Source: http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Lifestyle/Story/STIStory_341974.html