New 100% Airport Departure Tax increase is not going down well with many Dominicans on Social Media

​The news of an almost 100% increase in the airport departure tax has not gone down well with many who have taken to social media to express their concern.An image circulating on social media depicts an announcement which reads "With immediate effect the following are the new departure tax. Departure tax USD$18.50, Security charges USD$2.00, Environmental Levy USD$1.50, Passenger Facility Charges USD$10.00 totalling USD$32 or XCD$87.00.
 
Children less than 12 years old and others exempted are still expected to pay the passenger facility charge of USD$10.00".Many have questioned why this is only being made public now while others are demanding an explanation from the Minister responsible for ports. Journalist Carlisle Jno Baptiste, is also expressing concern over why no previous announcement was made.

​There has been no official confirmation from the Government, since the news broke today.
 
It is also unknown at his time, whether this increase in the departure tax is linked to a US $10.00 entry fee, which the Government attempted to introduce in 2014, for visitors and nationals.
 
The entry tax of USD$10.00 which also drew concern among the public at that time, was said to be aimed at assisting the maintenance of the ports on island.
 
However, the decision to introduce this new fee was said to have been deferred, to allow other stakeholders to discuss the matter. 
 
National Security Minister Rayburn Blackmoore, said at the time, that port authorities would embark on a public education program regarding the introduction of that fee.