Two Lucky Interns Reveal a Panama We Haven't Seen Before

CHICAGO, Feb. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Amble Resorts released the first episode of their new online travel video series The Adventures of the Island Interns, an awe-inspiring journey through lesser-known destinations in Panama with Isla Palenque's Island Interns Luke Hansen and Ben Brown. This first video, entitled "The Opportunity of a Lifetime," conveys the excitement and life-changing outcome of the Island Intern Contest that sent winners Hansen and Brown to live on tropical Isla Palenque, Panama for six weeks last summer to document their experience.

The Adventures of the Island Interns video series is the final product of the dream travel job opportunity Amble Resorts offered through their first-ever Island Intern Contest last spring. The eco-development company hosted the competition in search of an intern to live on the site of their flagship eco-development, Isla Palenque. The 400-acre private island is an ecotourism playground featuring twelve beaches, volcanic bluffs and abundant wildlife. This contest is part of Amble's mission to shine a light on emerging destinations like Panama's Chiriqui province while emphasizing the importance of preserving the world's most spectacular natural and cultural wonders.

Since his discovery of Isla Palenque in 2007, Amble Resorts' president Benjamin Loomis has been astonished by the lack of information about the region online. Unlike many developers looking for an easy sell, Loomis views the region's virtual anonymity as an advantage rather than an obstacle. "Aside from the canal, the travel community doesn't know much about Panama, much less the Gulf of Chiriqui, which is the only reason there are three dozen tropical islands sitting out here teeming with wildlife instead of tourists." Of the Island Intern video series, Loomis says, "People are going to be absolutely amazed by what they see. The videos are fun, they're inspiring. Luke and Ben captured their experiences, from Panama City's finest dining to water sports in the Gulf, with a passion that is contagious. They did a phenomenal job."

The video series arrives at an ideal time -- respected voices in the travel industry are singing Panama's praises as one of the must-visit destinations of 2012. Forbes started things off with "Why Your Next Trip Should Be Panama," and The New York Times named Panama number one in "45 Places to Go in 2012." National Geographic included the small country on its Best of the World 2012 list, mentioning the marine park in Isla Palenque's front yard: "... at the offshore Coiba National Park, where a maximum of only 40 overnight visitors are allowed, divers share the pristine waters with scientific researchers and whale sharks."

Panama may be a burgeoning tourism hotspot, but Amble Resorts' focus will remain on creating the authentic travel experiences the company was founded on. Thanks to Isla Palenque's privileged location on the edge of a protected marine park, and a development ethic of sustainability that far exceeds the highest LEED platinum standards, Isla Palenque will forever remain the natural wonderland revealed in the Island Intern series.

"Our mission is life-changing travel," says Loomis, "which can sound a bit prosaic out of context. But, as the Island Interns show in their video series, traveling in Panama alters the way you see the world. Its unspoiled beauty, astonishing biodiversity and the rich culture of its people make Panama a force to be realized. That's what we're hoping to share."

A high-minded mission indeed, but Amble offers no shortage of life-changing travel experiences; their active new travel blog, The Ambler, will host weekly installments of the 12-episode Adventures of the Island Intern series in addition to its regular daily publication of informative and entertaining articles. "The Opportunity of a Lifetime" and the episodes to come will undoubtedly have travelers yearning to visit Panama, just in time for the launch of the 2012 Island Intern Contest in late February.

Photos:
http://www.ereleases.com/pic/Adventures-Island-Interns.jpg
http://www.ereleases.com/pic/Adventures-Ben-Luke.jpg

About Amble Resorts:

Amble Resorts is an ecologically sensitive resort development company focused on giving travelers life-changing travel experiences in places of spectacular natural beauty and historical significance. Those who want more out of travel, amble with us.

Media contact: Emily Kinskey, Marketing Manager, Amble Resorts, [email protected], 773-769-1145

This press release was issued through eReleases(R).  For more information, visit eReleases Press Release Distribution at http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE Amble Resorts