EU hoteliers unite against Booking.com
French and Spanish hotels launch collective action to reclaim billions and reshape the rules of online bookings across Europe
Hoteliers in France and Spain, supported by law firms Eskariam and Geradin Partners, are taking legal action against Booking.com. They accuse the platform of unfair business practices, including excessive commissions and restrictive contract clauses. A recent European Court ruling that struck down “parity clauses” has opened the door for hotels to offer better prices on their own channels, fueling this collective legal push.
Key takeaways:
- Collective legal action: A new platform, actioncollectivehotel.fr, invites hoteliers who worked with Booking.com between 2015–2024 to join a mass claim for damages.
- Potential compensation: Independent hotels may claim tens to hundreds of thousands of euros; large hotel chains could claim millions. Estimated damages in France alone total €1.5 billion.
- No upfront legal costs: A litigation funding company will cover legal expenses in exchange for 25–30% of any awarded compensation.
- Booking.com’s market dominance: Booking.com controls a large share of the online hotel booking market, with only 33% of bookings made directly through hotel websites in 2024.
- European expansion: Similar legal actions are being considered in Italy, Portugal, and other countries, signaling a broader European movement.
- Industry impact: Beyond financial redress, the goal is to shift the balance of power in online bookings, restoring pricing freedom and autonomy to hoteliers.
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