Two years in the making, UK regulator The Office of Fair Trading has cited Expedia, Booking.com and InterContinental Hotels in its investigation into fixing hotel rates.
The OFT issued what is known as a “statement of objections” to the trio this morning, alleging the two OTAs entered in to individual agreements with the hotel giant which “restricted the online travel agency’s ability to discount the price of room-only accommodation”.
While such arrangements refer to the OTAs ability to discount, wider marketplace issues are at the centre of the complaint as the alleged deals restrict other OTAs with their ability (or not) to discount hotel rates on their own sites.
Read full story at: http://www.tnooz.com/2012/07/31/news/regulator-accuses-expedia-booking-com-and-ihg-in-hotel-competition-infringement-probe/