'World's best job' website flooded in final hours

A lucky 200 people have been shortlisted for the chance to become the caretaker of a tropical Australian island, dubbed by promoters as the "Best Job in the World."

But tourism officials acknowledged on Friday that many last-minute applications were lost because the website was flooded with traffic.

Nearly 35,000 people submitted video applications for the job with Tourism Queensland, which pays a salary of A$150,000 ($97,000) to relax on Hamilton Island in the Great Barrier Reef for six months while writing a blog to promote the island.

The tourism board will announce 50 finalists on Tuesday on its website. The public will then have until March 24 to vote for their favorite applicant.

The top vote-getter and 10 other people chosen by the tourism board will be flown to Hamilton Island for interviews. The winner will be announced May 6, and the job begins July 1.

Agencies

(China Daily 02/28/2009 page11)