ISAACS HOSTEL has already had 80 entries for its Search for an Ambassador marketing wheeze – mostly from would-be travellers in their 20.

The idea is that one lucky person will be sent off inter-railing around Europe during August and part of their brief will be to make friends and influence people to visit Ireland. They will also have to blog their experience.

It is a budget effort as befits the hostelling experience – the winner’s travel expenses and hostels will be paid for but after that they have to feed and water themselves with just €100 a week spending money.

The measly budget clearly hasn't deterred entrants who have submitted a 300-word pitch to isaacs.ie/ambassador. The closing date for applications is Saturday.