CARIBBEAN: Toward sustainable tourism in the Dominican Republic

Toward sustainable tourism in the Dominican Republic



03 July 2003
By Brian Howard and Starre Vartan, E/The Environmental Magazine



Paradise in Punta Cana

As the plane skids to a stop on the tarmac of Punta Cana International 
Airport, the first impression of the Dominican Republic is of open-air 
breezeways and thatched roofs.

According to Kelly Robinson, environmental affairs specialist for the Punta 
Cana Resort and Club, "The airport was designed not only to welcome visitors, 
but also to be an environmentally responsible structure, including native 
design and materials." Palm trees sway in the courtyard and tropical birds 
dart through the airport rafters.

A few hours later, the sun is setting as gentle aquamarine surf laps a few 
feet from reclining beach chairs. As a small Caribbean nation not far from 
the coast of the United States, the Dominican Republic (which shares its 
landmass with Haiti) has historically been a popular get-away. Today, its 
beauty is challenged by rapid development.

According to Lonely Planet, "The Dominican Republic was once blanketed with 
lush rainforests teeming with diverse flora and fauna, including some 1,500 
species not found anywhere else. Today, many of the swamps have been drained 
and trees cut down for charcoal, but there are still enough isolated pockets 
of untamed nature to satisfy the most adamant ecotourist."

The problem is widespread poverty. The U.S. Agency for International 
Development reports that the Dominican Republic is beginning to address that 
issue, along with the country's relatively weak environmental protection 
laws. It may not be too late. Robinson says that the Dominican Republic 
retains 14 percent of its original forest cover, in contrast with Haiti, 
which is almost entirely deforested due to pressures from extreme poverty and 
political instability.

On the still-undeveloped eastern tip of the island, Punta Cana Resort and 
Club is a partnership between Dominican businessman Frank Rainieri and New 
York labor mediator Theodore W. Kheel — who also founded Earth Times 
magazine.

"My vision was to create a resort that harmonizes with the local flora and 
fauna, where families could go to have a great vacation and learn about the 
unique environment of the Dominican Republic," said Rainieri.

The 432-room resort is set back from the three-mile, white-sand beach, 
although sweeping views accent nearly every space. Environmentally sensitive 
features include water- and energy-efficient buildings, gray-water recycling, 
and the widespread planting of native flora. Robinson says the resort 
maintains at least 30 percent of the original vegetation on every plot.

Ecologically minded golfers can take heart that the resort's course is 
planted in seashore paspalum, a hybrid grass that needs relatively low 
amounts of water, fertilizers, and pesticides to stay attractive.

"We average 525 square meters per guest to prevent overcrowding and 
environmental stress," said Robinson. "And we are working towards adherence 
to Green Globe certification."

The open-air common spaces are made of local coral stone, wood, and the cana 
leaves that gave the area its name. There are opportunities to ride horses on 
the beach, play tennis, windsurf, kayak, dance at the nightclub, and enjoy 
fresh local fish. Depending on the time of year and number of amenities, 
accommodations range from $80 per person per night to $1,950 per villa per 
night.

Reefs and Lagoons

Another attraction is just offshore: a five mile-long coral reef, where 
guests can snorkel or dive among sea turtles, sea fans, urchins, starfish, 
eels, and a fantastic array of brightly colored fish.

"While some coral bleaching and over-harvesting has occurred, we are working 
with the Dominican Ministry of the Environment and local fishermen to develop 
a sustainable-use plan," said Robinson.

Just steps away from the beach, a boardwalk meanders through the damp and 
shaded forest of the 2,000-acre ecological preserve, which was set aside by 
the resort. The preserve has 11 freshwater lagoons, one of which guests can 
snorkel, providing a rare glimpse into a world of fish and turtles. 
Naturalist Gloria Caminotti describes the mangroves in halting English and 
points out some elusive lizards sunning themselves. More than 500 types of 
plants and 82 species of birds can be found in the reserve. 

Punta Cana Resort also planted a small orchard of indigenous plants, 
including banana, pineapple, orange, sugarcane, mango, and pomegranate.

"The organic garden yields vegetables, spices, and fruit," said Caminotti.

The club also established and helps support the on-site Cornell University 
Biodiversity Laboratory, where research focuses on the medicinal potential 
and ecological importance of local flora and fauna.

While visiting Punta Cana Resort is a trip to paradise, working there isn't 
so bad either.

"We needed to make a livable community both inside and outside the gate," 
said Raineiri. For its workers, the resort has helped provide medical 
coverage, housing, a new school, and even a bowling alley.

According to Robinson, future regional concerns include limiting development 
and water use and preserving beach access for local people. Since the area 
depends upon poorly regulated, gasoline-powered vehicles, air pollution may 
become an issue as well.

Brian Howard is an editor of E/The Environmental Magazine, and Starre Vartan 
is a frequent contributor..



Source: ENN