Greek hoteliers battle booking giant

Greek hoteliers, led by the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels (HCH), are preparing to take legal action against Booking.com, claiming damages that could total tens of millions of euros.

This follows a European Court of Justice (ECJ) decision (case C-264/23) that ruled Booking.com's "rate parity clauses" - which prevent hoteliers from offering lower prices on their websites than on the platform - are not essential for the platform's financial viability.

The legal challenge stems from widespread dissatisfaction among Greek hoteliers regarding Booking.com's commission rates, which range from 15% to 27%, often increasing for participants in promotional campaigns. These fees significantly affect hotel profitability, especially as Booking.com holds approximately 70% of the online booking market in Greece. The platform is estimated to generate €200 million annually in commissions...