OTAs: the pressure is mounting

• Hot on the heels of the UK Competition and Market Authority’s (CMA) judgementon OTA business practices comes the agreement between the the EU Council, European Parliament and European Commission on the platform-to-business regulation.

Proposed by the European Commission in April last year, the platform-to-business (P2B) law is targeted at Google Play, Apple App Store, Microsoft Store, Amazon Marketplace, eBay and Fnac Marketplace among others. The online giants will have to tell companies how they rank their own or rival products on their platforms under new rules agreed by EU negotiators aimed at stopping unfair practices by online platforms and app stores.

The regulation also affects online hotel booking sites, and is likely to take effect in the UK.

The move has been welcome by UKHospitality, which is also in discussions with the CMA, which described theme as “a welcome first step to secure transparency around online platforms”.

In an environment where Airbnb is facing legislatory challenges on numerous fronts, the spotlight on the OTAs is also intensifying.

Distribution will both be on the agenda at the 2019 Boutique and Lifestyle Hotel Summit, which is taking place at the Kimpton Fitzroy on May 22nd. Click here to find out more and buy tickets.