Latest news with #Bookingcom
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
European hotels to sue Booking.com over ‘illegal' best price clauses
Thousands of European hotels are taking legal action against claiming they are owed compensation for 'inflated costs' over 20 years. Almost 10,000 hotels in the Association of Hotels, Restaurants and Cafes in Europe (Hotrec) claim that parity clauses stopped them from offering lower prices and better availability on other platforms or their own websites. According to the association, the website's use of 'best price' parity clauses caused 'substantial financial harm' to hotels across Europe. On 19 September 2024, a judgment by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) 'found that the rental platform's parity clauses had breached EU competition law', said the group. Hotrec alleged in a statement that these clauses had led to 'inflated commission rates, suppressed direct bookings, and distorted online market competition.' It added that affected hotels may be eligible for compensation for commissions paid to between 2004 and 2024. On 30 July, Hotrec extended the deadline for all eligible hotels to register for the collective action until 29 August 2025. The lawsuit is expected to be one of the largest ever filed in the European hospitality sector, and is supported by national hotel associations from 30 countries, including Britain. 'The collective action has received overwhelming support. Extending the registration deadline will ensure that all interested hotels have a fair chance to participate, despite it being peak season,' said Marie Audren, director general of Hotrec. The Stichting Hotel Claims Alliance is coordinating the legal claim before it is brought before the courts in the Netherlands. Alexandros Vassilikos, president of Hotrec, said: 'European hoteliers have long endured unfair conditions and inflated costs. Now is the time to stand together and seek redress. 'This collective action sends a strong message: abusive practices in the digital marketplace will not go unchallenged.' The Independent has contacted for comment.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
European hotels to sue Booking.com over ‘illegal' best price clauses
Thousands of European hotels are taking legal action against claiming they are owed compensation for 'inflated costs' over 20 years. Almost 10,000 hotels in the Association of Hotels, Restaurants and Cafes in Europe (Hotrec) claim that 's parity clauses stopped them from offering lower prices and better availability on other platforms or their own websites. According to the association, the website's use of 'best price' parity clauses caused 'substantial financial harm' to hotels across Europe. On 19 September 2024, a judgment by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) 'found that the rental platform's parity clauses had breached EU competition law', said the group. Hotrec alleged in a statement that these clauses had led to 'inflated commission rates, suppressed direct bookings, and distorted online market competition.' It added that affected hotels may be eligible for compensation for commissions paid to between 2004 and 2024. On 30 July, Hotrec extended the deadline for all eligible hotels to register for the collective action until 29 August 2025. The lawsuit is expected to be one of the largest ever filed in the European hospitality sector, and is supported by national hotel associations from 30 countries, including Britain. 'The collective action has received overwhelming support. Extending the registration deadline will ensure that all interested hotels have a fair chance to participate, despite it being peak season,' said Marie Audren, director general of Hotrec. The Stichting Hotel Claims Alliance is coordinating the legal claim before it is brought before the courts in the Netherlands. Alexandros Vassilikos, president of Hotrec, said: 'European hoteliers have long endured unfair conditions and inflated costs. Now is the time to stand together and seek redress. 'This collective action sends a strong message: abusive practices in the digital marketplace will not go unchallenged.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Britons booking 'later, closer, shorter' UK breaks
UK holidaymakers are leaving it later to book shorter stays closer to home, travel firms are reporting. The trend is down to people trying to save money while making the most of hot weather, some of the UK's biggest holiday companies have told the BBC. says the number of people searching their site in July for a UK trip in the next six weeks was up 28% on last year, while AirBnB says more Brits are "embracing spontaneous getaways close to home". which advertises around 3,000 UK campsites, says a quarter of this year's bookings were made with just two days notice. Sykes Holiday Cottages, with 23,000 properties across the UK, say their the gap between booking and travel has fallen by 8% this year. Airbnb added "all signs point to a summer where guests are again choosing quieter, affordable places". 'The whole industry's seeing it' At Butlin's holiday park in Skegness people are making reservations slightly later than in previous years - with bookings up 22% in the last two weeks. "I think the whole industry is seeing it," resort director Andrew Leivers says. "The last couple of weeks we've seen a real surge," he adds. "We've got three, four and seven-night breaks... for different people's budgets." Among the 80,000 holidaymakers who will visit the resort this summer is the Harmston family from Lincoln. Mum Kirsty says: "We only booked it about two weeks before we came. We always try and get a last minute deal. We'd saved the money so we knew what our budget was and tried to grab a bargain." She says booking an all-inclusive stay in the UK meant she could keep costs down. "The worst thing of going on holiday is everything else is added on top so you've planned your holiday you look at the price you've paid and you've got to pay extra and extra." Kayleigh Fry is at Butlin's for four nights with her sister-in-law Kelly Towers and her children Casey and Corey and their cousin Marley. Kelly says short breaks can be more convenient for families. "It's easier. You can take a lot more with you when you stay in this country. There are so many pretty places out there in the UK." Nigel Dutton is the owner of Manor Wood Country Caravan Park. He's noticed people are booking later to take advantage of good weather in the UK. "Short breaks seem to be the name of the game at the moment," he says. "People can pre-pay, it's all budgeted, so they know exactly what it's going to cost them. I think we are seeing a revival of camping. It's a nice way to get outdoors, get away from the stress without spending too much." That's exactly what Chelsea and Adam Mahony from Manchester did. They booked an impromptu camping trip with their boys Gray and Rex. "We decided last week that we couldn't afford to go abroad this year so we bought a cheap tent online and thought let's just try something closer to home," says Chelsea. "They've got some fresh air and room to run around. It doesn't feel like home which is the main thing really." Andy and Kate Davis from Dudley camp regularly with their children Sam and Poppy. "It's a cheaper holiday than going abroad and we still get a break with the kids," says Andy. This year they've upgraded their kit. "I've bought a new carpet and a new vacuum as well," he says. They're not alone - sports store Decathlon has told the BBC that the number of family tents sold has gone up 60% compared with last year, while GO Outdoors has seen camping equipment sales jump 20%. Both retailers say growing numbers of their customers are upgrading their camping kit likes the Davis family to include luxuries like mattresses, carpets and furniture. Their family camping trip gets a big thumbs-up from six-year-old Poppy: "I just really like coming with my friends and family. I just really like sleeping in a tent, even though my dad really wants a caravan." How we saved hundreds of pounds on our summer holiday Holidays to Spain, Cyprus and Turkey soar in price
BBC News
3 days ago
- BBC News
Britons booking later, closer, shorter UK breaks, travel firms say
UK holidaymakers are leaving it later to book shorter stays closer to home, travel firms are trend is down to people trying to save money while making the most of hot weather, some of the UK's biggest holiday companies have told the says the number of people searching their site in July for a UK trip in the next six weeks was up 28% on last year, while AirBnB says more Brits are "embracing spontaneous getaways close to home". which advertises around 3,000 UK campsites, says a quarter of this year's bookings were made with just two days notice. Sykes Holiday Cottages, with 23,000 properties across the UK, say their the gap between booking and travel has fallen by 8% this added "all signs point to a summer where guests are again choosing quieter, affordable places". 'The whole industry's seeing it' At Butlin's holiday park in Skegness people are making reservations slightly later than in previous years - with bookings up 22% in the last two weeks. "I think the whole industry is seeing it," resort director Andrew Leivers says."The last couple of weeks we've seen a real surge," he adds. "We've got three, four and seven-night breaks... for different people's budgets."Among the 80,000 holidaymakers who will visit the resort this summer is the Harmston family from Lincoln. Mum Kirsty says: "We only booked it about two weeks before we came. We always try and get a last minute deal. We'd saved the money so we knew what our budget was and tried to grab a bargain."She says booking an all-inclusive stay in the UK meant she could keep costs down."The worst thing of going on holiday is everything else is added on top so you've planned your holiday you look at the price you've paid and you've got to pay extra and extra."Kayleigh Fry is at Butlin's for four nights with her sister-in-law Kelly Towers and her children Casey and Corey and their cousin Marley. Kelly says short breaks can be more convenient for families."It's easier. You can take a lot more with you when you stay in this country. There are so many pretty places out there in the UK."Nigel Dutton is the owner of Manor Wood Country Caravan Park. He's noticed people are booking later to take advantage of good weather in the UK. "Short breaks seem to be the name of the game at the moment," he says."People can pre-pay, it's all budgeted, so they know exactly what it's going to cost them. I think we are seeing a revival of camping. It's a nice way to get outdoors, get away from the stress without spending too much."That's exactly what Chelsea and Adam Mahony from Manchester did. They booked an impromptu camping trip with their boys Gray and Rex. "We decided last week that we couldn't afford to go abroad this year so we bought a cheap tent online and thought let's just try something closer to home," says Chelsea."They've got some fresh air and room to run around. It doesn't feel like home which is the main thing really." Andy and Kate Davis from Dudley camp regularly with their children Sam and Poppy."It's a cheaper holiday than going abroad and we still get a break with the kids," says Andy. This year they've upgraded their kit. "I've bought a new carpet and a new vacuum as well," he not alone - sports store Decathlon has told the BBC that the number of family tents sold has gone up 60% compared with last year, while GO Outdoors has seen camping equipment sales jump 20%. Both retailers say growing numbers of their customers are upgrading their camping kit likes the Davis family to include luxuries like mattresses, carpets and family camping trip gets a big thumbs-up from six-year-old Poppy: "I just really like coming with my friends and family. I just really like sleeping in a tent, even though my dad really wants a caravan."
The Independent
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Meet the Ibiza raver whose haircut went viral
A British clubber, Jack Kay from Newcastle, gained viral fame on TikTok after being dubbed the " Ibiza Final Boss" for his distinctive appearance and dancing at the venue Zero Six West. A video showcasing Kay's blunt bowl haircut, sunglasses, and gold chain amassed over 18 million views, leading to his image being widely used in memes and further viral clips. Major brands including Currys, Greggs, and capitalised on his popularity, with offering him an extended stay in Ibiza. Kay, 26, has embraced his newfound celebrity, establishing his own social media accounts and expressing his surprise as "just a normal person from Newcastle." He has reportedly signed with talent agency Neon Management, which plans for him to go on tour, further leveraging his viral status.
