More than 10,000 hotels scattered across Europe have united for a class action lawsuit against Booking.com. In response to increased participation interest, the organizers have announced an extension of the deadline to join the lawsuit, now set for August 29. Originally, hotel representatives had until July 31 to partake in this legal endeavor.
This coordinated action is spearheaded by HOTREC, a prominent hospitality association based in Brussels. HOTREC advocates for hotels, restaurants, and cafes across 36 European nations, representing over 30 national hotel associations.
The roots of this class action trace back to a ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in September 2024. This ruling involved a dispute between Booking.com and over 60 German hotels and hospitality groups. According to HOTREC, the court determined that Booking.com’s price parity clauses infringe on EU competition law, which prevents hotels from showcasing lower prices or enhanced availability on their own websites or through other online travel agencies (OTAs).
HOTREC asserts that affected hotels are entitled to compensation from Booking.com for financial losses incurred, potentially recovering a notable portion of the commissions paid to the platform from 2004 to 2024, along with accrued interest. "Now is the time to stand together and seek redress," emphasized HOTREC president Alexandros Vassilikos. He added that this collective action aims to send a powerful message: unfair practices in the digital marketplace will not be tolerated.
However, Booking Holdings, which owns Booking.com, contests these allegations. A representative from the company described the assertions from HOTREC and other hotel associations as "incorrect and misleading." The spokesperson clarified, "The ECJ ruling that HOTREC and other hotel associations have been referencing did not conclude that Booking.com’s price parity clauses were anticompetitive." The court was not tasked with evaluating the competitive impact of these clauses, merely noting that they fall under EU competition law, which mandates a case-by-case analysis of their effects.
Furthermore, the spokesperson mentioned that Booking Holdings has yet to receive any formal notification regarding this class action lawsuit. The case is being organized in collaboration with the Dutch-based Hotel Claims Alliance Foundation and will be presented in Dutch courts, highlighting the international implications of this legal battle.
As the deadline approaches, hotels across Europe are weighing their options and considering whether to participate in this historic collective action against one of the leading names in the online travel industry.
