Another city sues online travel companies
Add Fairview Heights, Il to the list of cities suing online travel companies.
Philadelphia and Los Angeles are already among cities suing Orbitz, Travelocity, Expedia and other online companies, claiming they are short-changing city taxes.
The travel companies arrange to rent rooms from hotel chains at discounted rates and then sell hotel stays to the public at a higher rate, says the city in its complaint.
Art Sackler, an executive with a trade group that represents online travel companies, told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch the suits were based on a misunderstanding of how online business operates.
His view is that the online companies charge service fees, not price mark-ups. He claims service fees are not subject to city taxes.
Fairview Heights is just outside of St. Louis.
Report by David Wilkening
David
Have your say Cancel reply
Subscribe/Login to Travel Mole Newsletter
Travel Mole Newsletter is a subscriber only travel trade news publication. If you are receiving this message, simply enter your email address to sign in or register if you are not. In order to display the B2B travel content that meets your business needs, we need to know who are and what are your business needs. ITR is free to our subscribers.
































Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Skyscanner reveals major travel trends 2026 at ITB Asia
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists