Thousands of European hotels are taking legal action against Booking.com, claiming they are owed compensation for “inflated costs” over 20 years. The Association of Hotels, Restaurants and Cafes in Europe (Hotrec) alleges that the platform’s parity clauses prevented hotels from offering lower prices or better availability on other channels.
Hotrec claims that these “best price” clauses caused “substantial financial harm” and distorted online market competition. A European Court of Justice ruling on 19 September 2024 reportedly found that the clauses breached EU competition law, though Booking.com disputes this interpretation.
The collective action, supported by national hotel associations from 30 countries including Britain, could be one of the largest in the European hospitality sector. Hotels that paid commissions between 2004 and 2024 may be eligible for compensation.
Hotrec extended the registration deadline for hotels to join the action until 29 August 2025. Marie Audren, director general of Hotrec, said the extension ensures all interested hotels can participate despite the peak season.
Booking.com has called the allegations “incorrect and misleading”, stating that the ECJ did not conclude that its clauses were anti-competitive. A spokesperson said the court only ruled that such clauses fall within the scope of EU competition law and must be assessed case by case.
