Booking.com parent company Booking Holdings was named gatekeeper under the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) as part of European Commission efforts to ensure fair market practices and transparency.
As a designated gatekeeper, Booking.com must comply with DMA obligations within six months, including ensuring user choice and fair business access. Immediate obligations, such as reporting intended digital sector concentrations, are effective upon designation.
HOTREC, the umbrella association of hotels, restaurants, cafés and similar establishments in Europe, welcomed the announcement adding that European hoteliers are faced with too many unfair business practices and impairments by Booking.com that have a huge impact on business.
“After a decade-long struggle between European hotels and Booking.com, the DMA is now a real game changer. HOTREC is committed to constructive and transparent discussions with the European Commission and Booking.com,” said HOTREC President…
