Voting Is Open for the Isla Palenque Island Intern Contest

CHICAGO, March 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Resort at Isla Palenque announces the start of the two-week voting period for their Island Intern Contest. Just six weeks ago the announcement of the video contest made a splash in the online eco-travel scene, and ambitious intern hopefuls responded with inspiring application videos. Now they are reaching out to their own social networks in the hopes of winning the travel blogging experience of a lifetime, and the public is invited to vote for their favorites.

The opportunity the applicants are competing for is the chance to spend six weeks of their summer blogging on Isla Palenque, a tropical Panamanian island on which Amble Resorts is developing a revolutionary eco-luxury resort community. The 400-acre island is covered in dense jungle, coconut groves, mangrove systems and, of course, sun-drenched beaches. The adventures to be had on and around the island are a story waiting to be told, and the eco-developer seeks an Island Intern to do exactly that. "We believe that experiencing the remaining wonders of the world drives the effort to save them," says Benjamin Loomis, President of Amble Resorts and one of the contest judges. "Blogging offers a raw and personal perspective; it is the perfect medium for the intern to share what this largely undiscovered corner of the world is all about."

The contestants' friends and families aren't the only ones flocking to the Island Intern Contest website to vote for their favorite applicant. Some of the web's most influential thought leaders in the fields of sustainability, travel and social media have cast their vote and contributed words of encouragement. "It's an exciting future for anyone with a voice looking to be heard," says well-known eco-blogger Michael D'Estries of Ecorazzi and GroovyGreen. "I love the passion in these clips. Everyone has a unique story and brings some impressive talents and experiences to the application process."

D'Estries is joined by industry advocates from The International Ecotourism Society, TerraCurve, Gadling, TreeHugger, Vagabondish, Mother Nature Network, Justmeans, The Examiner, Tourdust and Ocean Home Magazine. These advocates will support their favorite applicants in order to inform the judges' selections.

With dozens of highly qualified applicants, choosing the top ten finalists will be challenging for both the judges and the public. One finalist will be the applicant with the most views on YouTube, four finalists will be chosen for having the most votes on the Island Intern website, and five finalists will be chosen by a panel of expert judges. Joining Loomis on the judging team is 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, a leading media outlet dedicated to driving sustainability mainstream.

Amble Resorts is providing a unique career opportunity for the winner, who will use their area of study to discover the island's natural character and beauty, and teach the public what they've learned. This has attracted a group of intelligent, passionate and adventurous applicants. "They're so energetic. And creative! I like the candidates that focus on giving. A lot of them have travelled and can do flips or ride bicycles backwards -- cool, yes -- but I like the ones who are really invested in sustainability," says Clarissa Caldwell, an editor at Justmeans.com, a leading source of information on sustainable business.

Voting ends on April 11, so head over to the contest website to hear what the other advocates have to say and to cast your vote.

Photos:

http://www.ereleases.com/pr/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 The Resort at Isla Palenque

The Resort at Isla Palenque will be a secluded and sustainable eco-resort community opening in 2013 with a boutique hotel, ingeniously designed residences, and sumptuous amenities. http://www.islapalenque.com

Media contact: Emily Kinskey, Marketing Associate, Amble Resorts, [email protected], 773-769-1145 x208

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

SOURCE Amble Resorts