More than 34,000 apply for "world's best job"

BEIJING, Feb. 24 (Chinese medianet) -- A total of 34,684

applicants from more than 200 countries have applied for "the best job in the

world" -- taking care of tropical Australian Island on the Great Barrier Reef,

according to media reports Tuesday.

"This has been a phenomenal response and certainly

more than we ever anticipated," said Tourism Queensland chief executive Anthony

Hayes.

Up till the deadline the most interest came from the

U.S. with 11,565 applicants, followed by Canada with 2,791, Britain 2,262 and

Australia 2,064, the government said in a statement.

All candidates are required to submit a video chip in

English in about one minute explaining their qualities for the post. The

applicants have to be over 18, and be a passionate communicator with fluent

English.

The job provides 150,000 Australian dollars (about

100,000 U.S. dollars) for six months and includes free airfares from the

successful candidate's home country to the island.

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.

A list 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.

(Agencies)