Over 10,000 European hotels against pricing practices of Booking.com

Pricing autonomy battered for European hotels

The clauses forced hotels to offer Booking.com the same or lower rates than on competing sites or even on their own websites.

Industry leaders say this practice inflated commissions, restricted direct bookings, and stripped hotels of pricing autonomy. The ECJ decision confirmed earlier findings by Germany’s Federal Cartel Office, clearing the way for hotels across Europe to seek damages.

“European hoteliers have long endured unfair conditions and inflated costs,” said HOTREC President Alexandros Vassilikos. “Now is the time to stand together and demand redress. This collective action sends a strong message: abusive practices in the digital marketplace will not go unchallenged.”

The legal effort is being coordinated by the Hotel Claims Alliance Foundation and pursued before Dutch courts. It is led by a team of competition lawyers and economists who were instrumental in securing the ECJ ruling. Claims could cover commissions paid to Booking.com from 2004 through 2024. It would also look at interests, potentially resulting in substantial compensation.

Momentum for the case is growing. More than 10,000 hotels have already registered to participate, prompting organizers to extend the deadline for registration until August 29, 2025. Participation is free of charge and risk-free for hotels, regardless of size or location.

Booking.com fights back

“The overwhelming support shows how strongly our industry wants to push back against unfair digital practices,” said Marie Audren, Director General of HOTREC. “Extending the registration deadline ensures that all hotels, even during peak summer season, have a fair chance to join.”

Meanwhile, Booking.com claimed to be unaware of any actual “anti-competitive effects” or “claims for damages”. In an enquiry from German news agency DPA, the booking engine said it had not received an official lawsuit. “This is a statement from HOTREC, not a filed class action,” Booking.com indicated.

It rejected the claims by the hotel associations and the ECJ ruling. “Each of our accommodation partners is free to set their own distribution and pricing strategies. They can offer their rooms wherever they choose,” the statement said.