The Italian Antitrust has launched an investigation against Expedia and Booking to verify whether the two famous online tourist agencies have hindered competition.
In particular, the Authority's suspicion is that the two companies "limit, through agreements with hotel structures - reads a statement -, competition on price and booking conditions between the various sales channels, hindering the possibility for consumers to find cheaper offers on the market”.
In particular, the Antitrust's crosshairs focus on the clauses provided by Booking and Expedia which bind accommodation facilities not to offer their hotel services at better prices and conditions through other online booking agencies, and, in general, through any other channel reservations (including hotel websites).
According to the Antitrust, "the use of these clauses by the two main platforms on the market could significantly limit competition both on the commissions required of accommodation facilities and on the prices of hotel services, ultimately to the detriment of final consumers ”.
The operation was carried out on the recommendation of Federalberghi, the Antitrust group of the special market protection unit of the Guardia di Finanza and Aica.
