The List?n Diario reported that, as would be expected, the ASONAHORES group of hotel and restaurant operators expressed serious worry over the effects of the new 100% increase to the airport departure tax. Two of the industry leaders, Frank Rainieri and Rafael Blanco Genao, warned that tax hike might spur passengers towards other, less taxed destinations. Rainieri expressed his surprise that the tourism sector was not consulted about the change. Rainieri told C?ndida Acosta of the List?n that he felt that doubling the exit tax was an ?extemporaneous? decision for a country that depends on tourism. He added that, facing the current situation, the tax could be applied in November when the high season begins, but to do so immediately would be damaging, as tour operators cannot apply the new cost to the tourists hailing from countries in which such measures are developed over time and not improvised.