United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Intercontinental/Holiday Inn to allow lower hotel prices at online agencies
InterContinental Hotels Group today struck a compromise with the British Office of Fair Trade, which had accused the world’s largest hotel group of limiting competition on online hotel rooms.
OFT last year charged that the parent of Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza, with the most hotel rooms in the world, forced online travel agents like Expedia and Priceline to agree not to cut their own commissions in order to reduce hotel-room prices.
The case was in response to a complaint from Skoosh.com, which complained that a number of hotel chains were preventing it from offering discounted prices on room-only bookings.
The case against IHG is considered a test case of the legality of hotels’ efforts to keep online travel agencies and web sites from undercutting their prices. All the major chains now advertise that their websites offer the lowest possible rates; allowing other sites to undercut them likely will cut traffic and bookings on hotels’ own sites.
The compromise IHG proposed would allow the sites to cut prices for just certain types of customers, such as those enrolled in a website’s frequent-traveler program or return customers.
IHG said it has worked closely with the OFT to bring an end to the investigation without having to admit to wrongdoing or pay a fine.
The agreement is open to consultation until September 13.
Cheryl
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Woman dies after going overboard in English Channel