Countries file lawsuit against travel website Booking.com over best price guarantee claim
In an unprecedented move, over 10,000 European hotels have registered to join a class action lawsuit against Booking.com, seeking compensation for financial losses caused by alleged anti-competitive commercial practices[1][2][4][5]. The deadline for hotels to participate in this landmark lawsuit has been extended to 29 August 2025.
The lawsuit, primarily supported by independent hotels and hotel associations across Europe, including Italy, focuses on challenging Booking.com's requirement that hotels offer their best prices on the platform compared to other sites[1][2][3]. This practice, known as parity clauses, is argued by many hoteliers to restrict competition.
The European Union has also intervened against parity clauses, classifying them as a violation of EU competition law[6]. The lawsuit is supported by Hotrec, Federalberghi, and over 30 national hotel associations from 26 countries[7].
Alessandro Nucara, director general of Federalberghi, stated that European hoteliers have been suffering from unfair conditions and excessive costs for a long time[3]. He emphasized that the extension of the registration deadline is in response to numerous requests and to accommodate the needs of the hotel industry during the intense summer season.
The initiative to claim compensation for financial losses is coordinated by the "Hotel Claims Alliance" foundation[8]. Participation in the class action is free for hotels, thanks to funding from specialized funds.
Italy has taken a firm stance against parity clauses, with the Competition Act 2022 in Italy banning such practices[9]. The South Tyrolean Hoteliers and Innkeepers Association (HGV) also supports this initiative.
The lawsuit aims to claim losses due to the best price clauses (Parity Rate) classified as a violation of EU competition law by the European Court of Justice on September 19, 2024[10]. As of July 2025, the lawsuit is ongoing, with no final judgment or settlement reported yet.
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- The international hotel industry, particularly those in Europe, are joining a class action lawsuit against Booking.com, citing alleged anti-competitive practices and parity clauses as the main issues.
- The European Union has backed this lawsuit, classifying parity clauses as a violation of EU competition law.
- Many hotels across several countries in Europe, such as Italy, are taking part in this lawsuit, with the deadline for registration extended to 29 August 2025.
- The ongoing lawsuit, coordinated by the Hotel Claims Alliance foundation, aims to claim compensation for financial losses caused by the best price clauses, following the EU Court of Justice's ruling on the matter in September 2024.
