Hotels vs. Booking: the firms defending hoteliers' interests in Spain
Voice reading · ~1 min
The September 2024 ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) on Booking.com's price parityRate parityRate parity is the commitment to offer the same public price across all channels. Many OTAs require it by contract so the hotel does not undercut them. It is a contentious topic because it limits the hotel's freedom t... clauses has shaken the Spanish hotel sector. The judgment states that these clauses must be assessed on a case-by-case basis, opening the door to damage claims against the OTAOTAAn online travel agency is a channel that sells accommodation and travel online in exchange for a commission. Booking.com and Expedia are the biggest. They bring volume and visibility, but charge commissions that eat....
In this context, several specialized consultancies and law firms are already offering services to help hotels regain control of their distribution and claim compensation. According to Hosteltur, these companies have positioned themselves as the legal and strategic arm of hoteliers against the platform.
My take: this is no easy fight, but there is finally a legal framework to put limits on Booking's dominance. Independent hoteliers, who for years have suffered commissionsCommissionCommission is the percentage a channel keeps for each booking it brings the hotel. It is the cost of selling through an OTA and usually runs from 15 to 25 percent, more in niche channels. Cutting dependence on high co... of 15-20%, now have tools to negotiate from a stronger position. The key is to act fast with expert advice, not to wait for the market to self-regulate. The moment to defend your margins is now.
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