In July 2024, Spain’s National Commission on Markets and Competition (CNMC) imposed a €413.24 million fine on Booking.com for abusing its dominant position in the online hotel booking market (La CNMC multa a Booking.com con 413,24 millones por abusar de su posición de dominio durante los últimos 5 años | Centro Europeo del Consumidor en […]

The Italian Competition Authority’s (AGCM) recent acceptance of Booking.com’s changes to its "Preferred Partner" and "Preferred Plus" programs is another landmark moment for hoteliers. These programs, designed to enhance visibility on Booking.com, required participating properties to maintain "competitive pricing" on the platform, effectively tying their hands when setting rates on other sales channels. However, AGCM’s intervention has changed the game, granting hotels more autonomy and ensuring greater transparency.