Great Barrier Reef ‘dream job’ real despite fake

TOURISM Queensland have assured the Great Barrier Reef “dream job” is real despite coming under fire for publicising a fake applicant.Anthony Hayes, Tourism Queensland’s Chief Executive Officer, said it was a lapse in judgement to post a video on YouTube of a woman getting a tattoo in order to win a job without any indication that it was not from a real applicant.The video showed “Tegan” getting a tattoo to showcase her passion for the Great Barrier Reef, in a bid to land the six-month, $150,000 position.

But “Tegan” is an employee of the advertising agency behind the “dream job” campaign, a fact that was not declared on either the video or Tourism Queensland’s website.”We messed up. We should have put the word ’sample’ on it and we’ve now removed it so that there’s no confusion attached to it at all,” said Mr Hayes.”Due to the whole “dream job” concept being so unique, Tourism Queensland didn’t predict the problems that posting the video would cause.”

Mr Hayes said Tourism Queensland is not worried about any negative responses to the video.

“The positive response we’ve had to the campaign has just been absolutely overwhelming,” he said.

“This is new for us. We’ve never done anything like this before… we’ll hopefully not mess up anymore.

“1.8 million people have visited the website and we’ve had six and a half thousand applications in a week so we’re very pleased with how the campaign’s going” Mr Hayes said.

A spokesperson for Tourism Queensland said most applications received before the fake video were surprisingly “uninspiring” and “dull”.

However Mr Hayes said there have been some absolutely brilliant responses since then.

Examples of the more interesting videos include an Australian called Harriet who “vanishes from reality and then appears on Hamilton Island” and Carmen from Canada who swims with seals.

It’s expected more than 10,000 will apply by the February 22 cut-off date.

The six-month stint will require the successful applicant to bunk in a luxury villa, explore neighbouring islands, swim, snorkel, discover wildlife, and the locals.

They will also blog – or brag – about their island adventures.

Applications are open until February 22 and 11 shortlisted candidates will be flown to Hamilton Island in early May for the final selection process.

An announcement will be made on May 6 with the contract beginning on July 1.