Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) decision of ComCo

ComCo has closed its investigation into contract conditions of Booking.com, Expedia and HRS. Such contract conditions of the three OTAs did oblige hotels i.a. to offer their best price for hotel rooms on the respective OTA channel (Best Price Rules). Even though ComCo considers the application of such contractual clauses as infringing the Cartel Act it did not levy any fines. As a matter of fact, Booking.com and Expedia have recently amended their respective Best Price Rules all over Europe. Such narrower Best Price Rules are not covered by the prohibition.

Expedia is represented by Lenz & Staehelin (Marcel Meinhardt and Daniel Sutter).