DutchNews.nl - DutchNews.nl brings daily news from The Netherlands in English

26 August 2025
Newsletter Donate Advertise
  • News
  • Life in the Netherlands
  • Jobs
  • Podcast
  • About us
  • Search
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Politics
  • Art and culture
  • Sport
  • Europe
  • Society
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Housing
  • Education
  • News
    • Home
    • Economy
    • Politics
    • Art and culture
    • Sport
    • Europe
    • Society
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
    • Education
  • Life in the Netherlands
    • Latest
    • Opinion
    • Books
    • Travel
    • 10 Questions
    • Learning Dutch
    • Inburgering with DN
    • Food & Drink
    • Ask us anything
  • Jobs
  • Podcast
  • About us
    • Team
    • Donate
    • Advertise
    • Writing for Dutch News
    • Contact us
    • Privacy
    • Newsletter
  • Search

Over 10,000 European hotels file mass claim against Booking

August 4, 2025
Photo: DutchNews.nl

More than 10,000 hotels across Europe have joined a mass compensation claim against booking website Booking, alleging the company imposed unfair pricing clauses that violated EU competition rules.

The collective action is being led by Hotrec, the European umbrella organisation for the hospitality sector. Chairman Alexandros Vassilikos said hotels had “suffered for years under unfair conditions and excessive costs,” and that it was now “time to stand together and demand redress.”

The hotels claim they were forced by Booking to accept contract clauses that barred them from offering lower prices on their own websites or through other platforms.

Booking rejected the allegations last month with a spokesperson saying the claims are based on a misinterpretation of previous rulings, and dismissed suggestions that Booking had artificially raised prices as “nonsense.”

In a 2024 ruling, the European Court of Justice said such restrictions could be unnecessary and reduce competition, although it also stated that parity clauses were not automatically in breach of EU law.

The Amsterdam-based platform, founded in the Netherlands in the 1990s, has since dropped the practice in Europe. Under the Digital Markets Act, which came into force last year, parity clauses are no longer permitted for dominant online platforms.

The Dutch consumers’ association Consumentenbond is also preparing legal action on behalf of customers.

It argues Booking earned around €1 billion as a result of so-called “dark patterns”, using fake discounts, incomplete pricing and made up scarcity.

Booking told Dutch News at the time that the company has “always fought to provide the best possible prices and transparent booking experience to travelers and strongly contest any allegations to the contrary.”

Share this article
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Copy URL
Business Court cases Holidays Hospitality
Thank you for donating to DutchNews.nl.

We could not provide the Dutch News service, and keep it free of charge, without the generous support of our readers. Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter, and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day.

Make a donation
Latest
Show more
Schoof patches up Dutch cabinet after NSC leave nine empty seats
Art looted by Nazis spotted on Argentinian real estate website
PVV calls for asylum freeze, rent cuts and North Sea drilling
Crowdfunding campaign launched after murder of girl raises €400K
CDA nails housing colours to the mast in provisional manifesto
NewsHomeEconomyPoliticsArt and cultureSportEuropeSocietyEnvironmentHealthHousingEducation
Life in the NetherlandsLatestOpinionBooksTravel10 QuestionsLearning DutchInburgering with DNFood & DrinkAsk us anything
About usTeamDonateAdvertiseWriting for Dutch NewsContact usPrivacyNewsletter
© 2025 DutchNews | Cookie settings

Help us to keep providing you information about coronavirus in the Netherlands.

Many thanks to everyone who has donated to DutchNews.nl in recent days!

We could not provide this service without you. If you have not yet made a contribution, you can do so here.

The DutchNews.nl team

Donate now

Dutchnews Survey

Please help us making DutchNews.nl a better read by taking part in a short survey.

Take part now