Keywords: online travel agencies, hotel rooms, competition law, infringements, Skoosh
The impact of the emergence of online travel agencies on the traditional methods of distributing hotel rooms continues to evolve.
In July, the UK Office of Fair Trading issued a draft Statement of Objections alleging that booking.com, Expedia and Intercontinental Hotels Group had infringed competition law in relation to the supply of 'room only' accommodation by online travel agents. This is the latest step in an investigation instigated by complaints made by Skoosh, a small UK-based online travel agency, in 2010. The OFT's provisional findings are that there have been infringements in UK competition law. The parties have a period of time in which to respond to the OFT's provisional findings and Intercontinental, at least, is vigorously challenging the OFT's provisional findings.
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This Mayer Brown article provides information and comments on legal issues and developments of interest. The foregoing is not a comprehensive treatment of the subject matter covered and is not intended to provide legal advice. Readers should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to the matters discussed herein.
