The Federal Antimonopoly Service declared on September 1, 2008 that TEZ Tour, the major tour operator, violated Article 5 (parts 2 and 3) of the federal advertising legislation with ‘undue advertisements’.

The inquiry into the case started after Rostourism and Intourist complained about TEZ Tour’s Channel 1 ad that said the company was ‘No.1 Tour Operator’. The Federal Antimonopoly Service found the advertisement improper and insisted on discontinuation of the offense.

Article 5, part 2 of the federal advertising act says an advertisement in which the product advertised is inappropriately compared with the other manufacturers or sellers’ products must be deemed improper.

Article 5, part 3 of the federal advertising act states an advertisement in which the product advertised is claimed to have (non-existent) advantages over the other manufacturers or sellers’ products must be deemed unreliable.