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Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Irish hotels to join 'unprecedented' legal action against Booking.com
More than 900 Irish hotels have joined a landmark legal action against online travel agency over what they say were inflated rates of commission imposed for two decades. Joining with hotels across Europe, the group is seeking 'substantial financial compensation' from following a judgment from the European Court of Justice (ECJ) last September, which found that the platform's so-called parity clauses breached EU competition law. This judgement has binding effect across all EU members states. It is estimated that over 900 Irish hotels and guesthouses are eligible to join this legal action, having been negatively impacted by use of anti-competitive parity clauses that were in effect from 2004 to 2024, the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) has said. These clauses placed hotels and their customers at a significant competitive disadvantage by suppressing price competition between and other online platforms, IHF added, which resulted in hotels being charged inflated commission rates. The legal action will also argue that the clauses restricted hotels from offering better prices or availability on their own websites, limiting direct sales and autonomy. "Under the general principles of European competition law, hotels in Ireland and across Europe are now entitled to claim compensation from for the financial losses suffered," the IHF said. "Affected hotels may be eligible to recover a significant portion of commissions paid to in any period from 2004 to 2024 plus interest." Paul Gallagher, chief executive of the IHF said: "This is an unprecedented legal action which the Irish Hotels Federation is supporting on behalf of members, seeking to obtain full compensation for hotels affected by anti-competitive practices. "The platform's parity clauses have been a major issue for Irish hotels going back twenty years, resulting in significant financial harm due to the inflated levels of commissions charged. "We see this as an important opportunity to send a strong message to online booking platforms that unfair business practices will not go unchallenged.' The collective legal action is being supported by the European hospitality association and over 25 national hotel associations across Europe. It is being brought before the Amsterdam District Court in the Netherlands, where BV is headquartered. In addition to the Irish Hotels Federation, the action is supported by national hotel associations from Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland.
RTÉ News
5 days ago
- Business
- RTÉ News
IHF to join legal action against Booking.com
The Irish Hotels Federation has announced it is joining with hotels from across Europe to support a landmark collective legal action against over its restrictions against hotels offering lower rates on their websites or on rival sites. It follows a judgment last September from the Court of Justice of the European Union indicating that parity clauses, which were contractual terms that prevented hotels from offering lower prices or better availability through other channels, violated EU competition rules. These parity clauses were inserted into contracts between online booking sites and hotels, and the practice triggered complaints by competitors and scrutiny from regulators across Europe concerned about fewer choices for consumers. Hotels are now seeking substantial financial compensation for damages resulting from what they claim were inflated commission rates charged by The collective legal action is being supported by the European hospitality association (HOTREC) as well as more than 25 national hotel associations across Europe. It is being brought before the Amsterdam District Court in the Netherlands, where is headquartered. The IHF estimates that over 900 Irish hotels and guesthouses are eligible to join this legal action, having been negatively impacted by use of anti-competitive parity clauses that were in effect from 2004 to 2024. The IHF said these clauses "placed hotels and their customers at a significant competitive disadvantage by suppressing price competition between and other online platforms" and that "this resulted in hotels being charged inflated levels of commissions". The clauses also restricted hotels from offering better prices or availability on their own websites, limiting direct sales and autonomy. Under EU competition law, affected hotels may be eligible to recover a significant portion of commissions paid to the platform between 2004 to 2024, in addition to interest. IHF Chief Executive Paul Gallagher described the legal action as "unprecedented". He added that the parity clauses "have been a major issue for Irish hotels going back 20 years, resulting in significant financial harm due to the inflated levels of commissions charged. "We see this as an important opportunity to send a strong message to online booking platforms that unfair business practices will not go unchallenged." In its judgment last year, the Luxembourg-based Court of Justice of the EU said there was no evidence to justify the parity clauses. "It has not been established that price parity clauses, whether wide or narrow, first, are objectively necessary for the implementation of that main operation and, second, are proportionate to the objective pursued by it," judges said. They said the restrictions may reduce competition between various hotel reservation platforms, force out small platforms and new entrants and do not appear to be necessary to ensure economic viability. However, the court also said the clauses could not be considered anti-competitive under EU competition laws. At the time, Booking Holdings (which owns the brand) expressed disappointment with the ruling. The company said it the parity clauses "were necessary and proportionate to the relationship between accommodation partners and and that operates in a competitive market". The IHF is in communication with all affected hotels and guesthouses in Ireland in relation to the next steps for joining the collective legal action. The case is being led and handled by the same competition lawyers, litigators and competition economists who worked on the case that led to the ECJ's judgment. In addition to the IHF, the action is supported by national hotel associations from Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Switzerland.
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Nearly 1,000 Irish hotels and guesthouses can seek damages from Booking.com in pricing row
Last year, the European Court of Justice ruled that so-called parity clauses imposed by between 2006 and 2024 prevented hotels from offering lower prices or better availability through other channels and that they violated EU competition rules. These clauses led to additional commissions, suppressed direct bookings and distorted online market competition. which is headquartered in Amsterdam, had argued that such clauses were required to prevent consumers from being able to search for their hotels on its website, but then make their reservations on a hotel's website if the price was cheaper there. If the reservations were not made via it couldn't charge a fee for its intermediary service, while hotels effectively still advertised over its platform. Now the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) has joined hotels across Europe in support of a collective legal action against 'Hotels are seeking substantial financial compensation for damages resulting from inflated commission rates charged by the platform,' the IHF notes. It estimates that 900 hotels and guesthouses in Ireland are eligible to join the legal action. The IHF is already in contact with all those venues it believes were affected by the practice. The collective legal action is being supported by the European hospitality association Hotrec and more than 25 national hotel associations across Europe, said the IHF. It added: 'Under the general principles of European competition law, hotels in Ireland and across Europe are now entitled to claim compensation from for the financial losses suffered. 'Affected hotels may be eligible to recover a significant portion of commissions paid to in any period from 2004 to 2024 plus interest.' Paul Gallagher, the chief executive of the Irish Hotels Federation, said the legal action being taken in Amsterdam against is 'unprecedented'. 'The platform's parity clauses have been a major issue for Irish hotels going back 20 years, resulting in significant financial harm due to the inflated levels of commissions charged,' he said 'We see this as an important opportunity to send a strong message to online booking platforms that unfair business practices will not go unchallenged.'
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
‘Handball at school' initiative to promote handball at grassroots
1 2 3 Lucknow: International Handball Federation (IHF) and Asian Handball Federation (AHF) will launch 'Handball at school' project to create centres in cities and implement initiatives for grassroots development programme for players and coaches in India. This decision was made during a meeting recently held in Oman after the conclusion of the 10th Beach Asian Handball Championship 2025. The meeting was attended by IHF president Hassan Moustafa, vice-president Al Badar, and AHF secretary general Mohammad Shafiq. Talking to TOI, executive director of Handball Association of India (HAI) Anandeshwar Pandey said, "I proposed a few initiatives for grassroots development programs for players and coaches in India, and special programs for women training. IHF and AHF accepted the proposal. It was decided in the meeting that IHF and AHF would prioritize several initiatives in India." "A 'Handball at School' programme will be launched in which centres will be set up HAI will be provided with taraflex, goalposts, and other resources to promote handball in schools across the country. A coach development programme will be implemented in India, where Indian coaches will be informed about modern training methods to nurture new talent," he said. "We are hosting international events in India. Recently, we organized the Men's Youth and Junior (Continental Phase-Asia) Trophy in Lucknow. We will host Wheelchair Handball Championship-2026 in Lucknow," Pandey said. "The initiative will strengthen handball at the grassroots. It will not only reinforce the sports infrastructure but also give handball a new and powerful dimension in India, enabling players to perform better. Recently, our women Indian handball team bagged bronze in 10th Beach Asian Handball Championship-2025 at Oman," he added.
Observer
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Oman edge Philippines to move into semis
MUSCAT: International Handball Federation (IHF) President Dr Hassan Moustafa was all praise for the hosts Sultanate of Oman for its excellent organisation of the underway AHF Asian Beach Handball Championship – Muscat 2025 which acts as qualifiers to the IHF World Championship. 'The Sultanate of Oman had improved and shaped up very well in their organising capabilities specially when it comes to the big events including the continental and global championships. Oman has once again demonstrated its exceptional capability in hosting continental and international tournaments with high efficiency and professionalism. Oman is no stranger to hosting global events. The Sultanate of Oman previously organised the IHF Beach Handball World Championship in 2012 successfully and it reaffirms these days its readiness and capability to host the world's largest handball events. The country offers an integrated infrastructure, qualified human resources, strong logistical and organisational capacities, and institutional support from the government and relevant stakeholders,' the IHF chief said. Oman Muhannad al Zarafi was named as best player of the match. 'What truly distinguishes Oman is the presence of strong sports leadership, a passionate and loyal fanbase, and highly skilled players who bring both talent and spirit to the game. These factors strongly support the growth and future of handball in the country,' the Egyptian official said. Speaking on the ongoing Asian Championship in Muscat, Dr Moustafa responded: 'The Asian tournament has showcased a high technical level with exciting competition and the emergence of new talents across participating teams. The presence of an elite group of referees and coaches has positively contributed to the quality and credibility of the tournament,' he said. Dr Moustafa affirmed that the IHF's eagerness to further enhance cooperation with the Oman Handball Association in the near future, praising Oman's strategic vision and global commitment to the development and promotion of handball. 'I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to the Government of the Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, the Oman Handball Association, and all public and private entities that contributed to the success of this important Asian championship, which also serves as a qualifier for the IHF Beach Handball World Championship. Oman has truly set a benchmark in excellence.' International Handball Federation President Dr Hassan Moustafa attends a match in Muscat. OMAN INTO SEMIS Oman advanced to the semifinals of the AHF Asian Handball Beach Championship following their thrilling 2-1 over Philippines in penalty shoot-out after a 1-1 draw. Oman Muhannad al Zarafi was named as best player of the match. This is the second time in the tournament that Muhannad was named as best player as he had previously earned the honour in the match against Hong Kong. Earlier in the group stage, Oman's goalkeeper Hudhaifa al Siyabi received the Best Player award in the match against the Maldives. Furthermore, Oman's Asaad al Hasani took the Best Player award in Oman's match against Saudi Arabia in the concluding group fixture. In earlier quarterfinal matches, Pakistan overcame Saudi Arabia with a 2-1 win while Jordan beat Hong Kong 2-0. In the last quarterfinal clash, Iran secured a 2-0 victory over the Maldives. In the women's competition, Philippines defeated Hong Kong 2-0, and Vietnam continued their dominant form with a 2-0 win over India. Vietnam maintained the top position in the standings, followed by the Philippines in second, India in third and Hong Kong in fourth. Meanwhile, the IHF has announced an expansion of the 2026 Beach Handball World Championship as the number of participating teams were increased to 32 including 16 men's teams and 16 women's teams. From the Asian continent, the top two teams in each category from the Muscat 2025 championship will secure the qualification.
