Mediterranean ObserverThe European Commission has designated Booking.com as a “gatekeeper” under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), recognising its online intermediation services as a significant gateway between businesses and consumers. As a designated gatekeeper, Booking.com must comply with strict obligations to ensure fair competition, offering businesses equal access and consumers greater choice. If Booking.com is found non-compliant in the coming months, it may be subjected to additional corrective measures or substantial fines.
Following Booking.com’s designation as a gatekeeper six months ago, HOTREC has now expressed disappointment with Booking.com’s compliance efforts. While acknowledging changes to parity clauses that may allow hoteliers to offer better prices on alternative channels, HOTREC emphasises the need for proper assessment to prevent equivalent measures from replicating negative outcomes. The organisation criticised Booking.com for failing to address several key obligations under the DMA, including transparency in algorithms, meaningful interface changes, and offering genuine choice in payment options for consumers. HOTREC has called on the European Commission to launch a non-compliance investigation, highlighting the continued lack of fairness for hoteliers and limited benefits for consumers.
