OREANDA-NEWS. October 14, 2008. The consultations on the two similar draft laws "On Introducing Amendments to the Article 17-2 of the Law "On the Grounds of the Tourist Activity in the Russian Federation", submitted to the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation by the deputies Mr. Reznik and Mr. Koval, were held in the FAS Russia, reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

In the draft law, prepared by the deputy Mr. Reznik, it is proposed to increase the financial insurance of a travel operator from 10 to 150 mln. Roubles. The draft law, prepared by the deputy Mr. Koval, envisages increase of the insurance from 10 to 100 mln. Roubles.

The representatives of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, Ministry of Sports and Tourism, Russian Agency of Tourism, "Opora Rossii" All-Russia Social Organization, Chamber of Trade and Industry of the Russian Federation, Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, Russian Association of Travel Operators, Russian Union of Tourist Industry, All-Russia Union of Insurers, International Confederation of Consumers Societies, Novosibirsk Association of Tourist Organizations, "Persona Grata" law agency and other companies participated in the discussion.

In general, the speakers noted that the proposed increase of financial insurance from 10 mln. Rubles to 100 or 150 mln. Roubles respectively didn't face the goals of the draft laws that had been described in the explanatory notes as well as didn't protect consumers of the tourist services, provided by the large companies. At the same time, this increase creates large barriers for the middle companies operating in the markets of tourist services and doesn't correspond the existing risks.

In the result of the discussions, in the near future the FAS Russia will elaborate the official position and will submit it to the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation and to the Ministry of Sports, Tourism and Youth Policy of the Russian Federation.