Passionate applicants want more than a free trip – they're ready to change the world
CHICAGO, March 14, 2011 — The early applicants for The Resort at Isla Palenque's Island Intern Contest aren't your normal MTV Spring Break party-seekers, or even your typical career-hungry internship hunters. Answering developer Amble Resorts' call for an intern to spend the summer blogging on the site of their future eco-resort in Panama, these ambitious young travelers are ready to change the world while discovering it.
With two weeks still left to enter the contest, already the response has been strong. In many of the submission videos, the applicants share their travel experiences and exhibit a passion for adventure usually associated with famous travelers like Anthony Bourdain and the National Geographic crew. Given the chance to photograph, film and blog on a tropical island, it is no surprise that many of the Island Intern candidates cite travel journalism as their career goal – with a twist: the sustainability of the environments and cultures they visit. Well-traveled applicant duo Emma Lennon and Molly Drane put it this way, "We would like to work together to change the world through hands-on sustainable community development, encouraging understanding and growth through an exchange of knowledge and culture."
The Island Internship they compete for exemplifies Amble Resorts' mission to develop ecologically and culturally sensitive resorts in places of spectacular natural beauty or cultural significance. Amble's Panama resort project, The Resort at Isla Palenque, will include eco-luxury vacation homes and a boutique hotel planned to open in 2013. "We're building on less than 5% of the island, and much of that was previously cleared by farmers. It's truly a remarkable, pristine environment, and it will remain that way," says Benjamin Loomis, President of Amble Resorts. "The Island Intern will be Isla Palenque's window to the world. It will be a beautiful marriage between this untouched corner of the planet and the social technologies that bring us all together."
Applicants gain the added benefit of getting their ideas in front of some of the sustainable travel industry's most respected thought leaders: the contest's panel of judges and advocates. Amble President Benjamin Loomis heads up the judges, and is joined by Horst Schulze, former Ritz Carlton CEO and founder of The West Paces Hotel Group; Richard Shaw, a principle at sustainable planning firm Design Workshop, who led the work on Isla Palenque's award-winning Master Plan; and Chris Tackett, Social Media Editor at Treehugger.com, the leading media outlet dedicated to driving sustainability mainstream. The contest's advocates include experts from The International Ecotourism Society, Terracurve, Gadling, Treehugger, Vagabondish, Mother Nature Network, Ecorazzi, Justmeans, The Examiner, Tourdust and OceanHome Magazine.
The advocates will weigh in on applicant videos, offering feedback that will aid the judges in their selection of five of the 10 finalists. Four applicants will make it to the finalist round for having the videos with the most votes on the contest website, and one finalist will be chosen for having the most views on YouTube. Submissions are open until March 28, so adventure-seekers still have plenty of time to apply.
"I was so excited to hear about the internship," says Anica Wu, who is competing for the Island Internship. "It's a once in a lifetime opportunity for an inspiring project. I hope The Resort at Isla Palenque sets the stage for future eco-developments worldwide." To hear from more hopeful Island Interns, tune in to the Island Intern Contestant page, where you'll find a healthy dose of wanderlust and plenty of inspiration to make the world a better place.
Contest submissions are open until March 28. To learn more, visit http://www.islapalenque.com/island-intern
Photos:
http://www.pressreleaseheadlines.com/2009-Isla-Palenque-Resort.jpg
http://www.ereleases.com/pic/Isla-Palenque-Intern.jpg
About Amble Resorts
Amble Resorts develops and owns unique, upscale resorts and residences which provide ecologically and culturally sensitive travel experiences. Those who want more out of travel, amble with us. http://www.amble.com
About Isla Palenque
The Resort at Isla Palenque will be a secluded and sustainable resort community opening in 2013 with a boutique hotel, ingeniously designed residences, and sumptuous amenities. http://www.islapalenque.com
Media contact: Email
Contest media room: http://www.islapalenque.com/island-intern/media
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