The New York Times published an extensive article and photographs on Punta Cana in its 7 January 2001 Sunday Travel section. Entitled, "From the Scrub Comes a Behemoth," the article by Scott Norvell reflects the boom in US travel to the eastern coast of the DR. The author couldn’t resist drawing parallels to Punta Cana being the next Cancún while pointing out there are more differences than similarities between both areas. "It’s the next Cancún. The label has stuck on Punta Cana. In the travel trade press. On the tongues of agents" he starts his article to quickly admit, people couldn’t be more wrong. "It’s too bad, because Punta Cana and Cancún, in Mexico, couldn’t be more different." He then goes to point out the many differences, such as high rise versus low rise resorts, low density of resorts versus cramming of hotels, crowds and urban mayhem in Cancun versus abundance of semi-deserted beaches in Punta Cana. But, he admits, "things are changing quickly" with golf courses, time shares and beachfront vendor villages everywhere. He also points out that the Europeans have claimed Punta Cana first, and their influence shows in the bathing wear and in the food served. (8 January 2001)
