More than 10,000 European hotels seeking damages from Booking.com

• The clauses ban the hotels from offering rooms on their websites at a lower rate and are seen by them as illegal. The aim is to prevent so-called "free-rider" bookings where customers find the hotel on Booking.com and then go to the hotel's website to make their booking.

ROME (Aug 4): More than 10,000 European hotels are joining a collective legal action against Amsterdam-based Booking.com, seeking compensation for losses allegedly caused by the platform’s use of so-called "best price" clauses.

The clauses ban the hotels from offering rooms on their websites at a lower rate and are seen by them as illegal. The aim is to prevent so-called "free-rider" bookings where customers find the hotel on Booking.com and then go to the hotel's website to make their booking.

The hotels cite a ruling by the European Court of Justice dated September 19, 2024, that essentially states that the best-price clause is illegal.

The court found that platforms like Booking.com could operate without rules of this kind. This made little difference to travellers. Booking.com had abolished the clauses in Europe following the European Union's Digital Markets Act of 2024.

“European hoteliers have long suffered from unfair conditions and excessive costs. Now is the time to stand together and demand redress,” Alexandros Vassilikos, president of the HOTREC hospitality sector association, said.

"This joint initiative sends a clear message: abusive practices in the digital market will not be tolerated by the hospitality industry in Europe," he added.

The aim of the collective action, known as a class action lawsuit, is to secure compensationfor damages incurred between 2004 and 2024.

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