Italy’s Antitrust Agency Inspects Booking.com Offices Over High-Commission Tactics
Italy Launches Investigation into Booking.com Over Misleading Rank Claims
Italy’s Competition and Market Authority (AGCM) has opened an investigation into Booking.com for alleged unfair commercial practices. The probe focuses on how the platform promotes hotels and rentals through its “Preferred Partner” and “Preferred Partner Plus” programs.
According to the regulator, Booking.com uses special badges and improved search rankings to highlight these partners, suggesting they offer superior service and better value for money. However, the Authority suspects that admission to these programs is not primarily based on quality. Instead, the AGCM alleges that the platform prioritizes accommodations that pay higher commission fees to Booking.com.
Officials worry that these labels mislead travelers into making choices based on false assumptions of quality or price convenience. In reality, these “preferred” options may actually be more expensive for the consumer on average. By emphasizing these specific listings, Booking.com might steer users away from better deals offered by non-participating hotels.
As part of the investigation, Italian authorities and the Special Antitrust Unit of the Finance Police recently conducted on-site inspections at the company’s Italian offices. The investigation will determine if the platform’s presentation of listings violates consumer protection laws by hiding the true influence of commission rates on search results.