Britain's Office of Fair Trading calls out Expedia and Booking.com for anti-competitive practices
Skift Take
Small travel agencies have long complained that pricing agreements between large hotel chains and the OTAs limit how they can price rooms, and it looks like someone is finally listening.
The Office of Fair Trading has accused Expedia, Booking.com and InterContinental Hotels Group – operator of the Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza brands – of infringing competition law by signing deals that limit the discounts offered to consumers on rooms.
The OFT began an investigation into a handful of major hotel and booking firms in September 2010 following a complaint from a small online travel agent.
Its preliminary findings, presented to Expedia, Booking.com and IHG in a statement of objections, allege that the three firms entered into arrangements that violated competition rules between October 2007 and Sept
