@Aktienorang-Utan Because Booking.com has a natural monopoly. 60-70% of worldwide bookings are made via the platform. If you're not there, you miss out on a lot of customers.
@Aktienorang-Utan The answer is market power. I rent out a small accommodation myself, if you are not on Booking and / or AirBnB then you practically don't exist.
They can do whatever they want with you and you can just nod and say yes.
@Charmin Well, in a platform market, growth comes first. When the critical mass is reached, it is reached. You are happy to pay a few billion in retrospect (if it gets that far).
@Portfoliopferd & @TotallyLost, thank you very much for your answers. I understand, one hand on all hands, as an overhand, and then set the tone. The players don't really have much competition in that area either.
This was already overturned in Germany years ago - I think HRS was the first to introduce it. Then last year in all other European countries. The lawsuit will now relate to this.
@Hidalidsch If something like this were to go through, you can expect several billions (in Spain, I found an article about 1.5 billion in damages). They have a turnover of 25 billion a year.
@Hidalidsch No, because 1. the news was already known last week and 2. because it will be years before a possible court ruling is made. Naturally with an UNCLEAR outcome regarding the amount. The company is fundamentally at an all-time high and is growing incredibly strongly. A short would be stupid.
The topic is actually "older". Booking is very, very special. If you get involved, it works like a charm. "They" moan about it, but without Booking they wouldn't achieve anywhere near the capacity utilization figures.
It's also strange that the actual hotel association Dehoga is not joining the complaint. 🤷🏼♂️