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Booking.com takeover of eTraveli blocked by EU
Booking.com will pursue an appeal after the European Commission blocked its planned travel acquisition of eTraveli.
The €1.6 billion travel acquisition deal was blocked due to competition concerns due to Booking’s already dominant position.
It would be ‘dangerous to see such a dominant position increasing,’ said Commissioner for Justice and Competition Didier Reynders.
Booking.com is the top hotel OTA in Europe, boasting a 60% market share.
Sweden based eTraveli is the number two OTA for flight bookings.
It would likely lead to higher costs in hotel commissions and for consumers, Reynders said.
It is the first EU merger of its kind to be blocked this year.
Priceline owned Booking.com’s sister brands include Kayak, Agoda, Rentalcars.com and OpenTable.
Booking.com claims it is a ‘pro-competitive transaction.’
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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