A formal investigation on Booking.com’s and Expedia’s cooperation agreements with hotel businesses in Greece was dropped by the Hellenic Competition Commission (HCC), after the two companies agreed to modify their contracts with hotel owners, in order to allow an increased flexibility in booking, invoicing and direct communication.
The new practice is aimed to facilitate competition between online travel agencies and other marketing channels and assist accommodation enterprises and clients.
The newly agreed terms state that partner hotel businesses in Greece can now decide ranging prices and propose different terms and availability compared to those determined by online travel agencies, offer lower prices and better terms to offline channels (e.g. reservations made by telephone, at the hotel reception or as part of loyalty programs) as long as hoteliers do not publicize or advertise these rates online, and utilize promotional activities in favor of all former visitors without refernce of booking methods.
