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Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION

Keeping it clean: Punta Cana practises sustainable tourism

By: Judi Lees

5/12/2009 8:35 AM | Comments: 0

JUDI LEES / CANWEST NEWS SERVICE Enlarge Image

Punta Cana is renowned for its sugary, warm beaches that draw sunseekers from all corners of the world.

Punta Cana, on the Dominican Republic’s east coast, is well known for its sugar-fine beaches, idyllic weather and all-inclusive resorts. If you’re thinking of a visit, be prepared to wear a plastic bracelet.

Just a decade ago there were only two resorts along this beach. Today, there are more than two dozen and your trusty wrist trademark ensures your room and all you can eat and drink at the resort of your choice. Each day the sun dazzles with its brightness, and its worshippers from countries far and wide, soak up its rays, to say nothing of the overloaded buffets and free booze.

While resort life is a wondrous cure for winter blahs, it’s always heartening to learn there are worthwhile programs going on behind the scenes. If ecotourism is truly responsible tourism, then at first blush, this haven of all-inclusive resorts doesn’t sound as if it would qualify. However, when I explored, I found that ecotourism thrives in Punta Cana.

For the full story, see today's newspaper or our fpNews electronic edition.

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