In a press conference yesterday, the Dominican Association of Travel Agents (ADAVIT) protested the high taxes on travel, as reported in the Listin Diario. Carlos Alonso, Edison Urena and Michael Espino complained that Dominicans pay the highest taxes on airfare in Latin America, pointing out that 40% to 55% of a ticket?s cost goes to taxes. They also criticized the penalty of US$112 that is levied for changes made to travel dates 12 hours after a ticket is issued. Alonso, who is the president of ADAVIT, said that every ticket purchased in the DR pays: US$26 in airport charges to Aerodom, US$24 to the Civil Aviation Board, US$20 departure tax and 12% ITBIS (VAT) tax, which the PLD economic team is proposing to increase to 16%. The ADAVIT representatives say that increasing surcharges will only assist the decline in travel by Dominicans, and thus yield less tax revenue for the state, instead of more. The group says that travel is no longer a luxury, but a need, whether for work or pleasure. They say that in civilized countries, vacations are prescribed by physicians and business travel is necessary for economic development.