In a recent development, Italy’s competition watchdog, AGCM, has set its sights on travel giant Booking.com. The watchdog announced on Friday that it has initiated a probe to determine whether the online travel platform is exploiting its dominant position in the market.
The investigation centers on Booking.com’s management of hotels participating in its Preferred Partner Programme. AGCM expressed concern that this approach could stifle competition in the online hotel booking sector, potentially limiting consumer choice and leading to higher prices.
Italian tax police, Guardia di Finanza, have also joined the fray, conducting searches at Booking.com’s offices in Italy. The company, however, remains undeterred, emphasizing its commitment to cooperation with the authorities.
“We are fully cooperating with the Guardia di Finanza and the Italian competition authority who visited our offices in Italy yesterday,” stated a Booking.com spokesperson. The company further underscored its belief that competition issues should be addressed at the EU level, rather than through individual country investigations.
This move by Italy’s watchdog reflects a broader trend of regulatory scrutiny facing tech giants operating in Europe. It also underscores the growing importance of ensuring fair competition and consumer protection in the digital economy.
Source: Market Watch | U.S. News & World Report | Morning Star)
