The "Fundación Internacional de Diagnóstico Medioambiental, Turístico y Cultural Punta del Este", ("Fundación Punta del Este", shortened) is a non-profit organisation registered under Org. Nr. 8728 F. 104 L. 17 by the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Uruguay, where it is domiciled.

By statute, the Foundation is primarily concerned with the study of all environmental factors related to tourism, in their physical and cultural forms, and, secondarily, with the implementation of programs and policies resulting from any such studies, in agreement with public or private contractors. Cultural studies - i.e., archaeological and historical - are also included within the aims of the Foundation, as these do reflect interests underlying the promotion of tourism.

While the prime geographical area of concern of the Foundation is the Republic of Uruguay and the basin of the River Plate, it can and does operate in other countries as well.

The Foundation is funded by private an public source and agencies. In order to implement its aims, it responds to specific requirements made by governmental (state or federal) or private sources, to which it avails pilots-studies, research-programs, scholarships, locational analysis, personnel, budgets and for which, on agreement, it further supplies and administrates funding.

The Foundation is presently presided by Mr. Ramón de Isequilla Raúl de Azúa (MBA), and Uruguayan and long-time resident of Punta del Este, where he lives with his wife and two children. A well known and esteemed local personality, Mr. Isequilla Real de Azúa has held important positions related to tourism industries and has represented Uruguay at the World Labor Organization in Geneva. An acting governmental commission member for the District of Punta del Este, he has presided both the "Liga de Fomento and the Hotel and Restaurant Corporation of Punta del Este, as well as the Hotel Managers Association of Latin America.