Turkish tourism association set to warn other websites, including Tripadvisor, upon Booking.com ruling

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A leading Turkish tourism association is set to send a court decision against Booking.com to similar foreign online reservation portals, including Tripadvisor.com, to ask them to comply with the required competition rules or face legal action, daily Dünya reported on March 31. 

An Istanbul court on March 29 ordered the suspension of the activities of Booking.com in Turkey, citing accusations of unfair competition.

The Istanbul 5th Court of First Instance ordered the suspension of Booking.com to mediate bookings of hotel and accommodation facilities in Turkey, in a lawsuit filed by the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB).

The website can be used from foreign countries to make reservations for Turkey hotels.

A TÜRSAB representative told daily Dünya that the court's Booking.com ruling marked a precedent and the same rule should be applicable for other online reservation portals, including Germany-based Trivago.com and U.S.-based Tripadvisor.com. 

TÜRSAB Secretary General Çetin Gürcün said the association had repeatedly warned Booking.com before it went to the court to prevent anti-competitive actions. 

Gürcün added that they should have sued the website in December 2015.

He said companies that want to offer online reservation services in Turkey must become a TÜRSAB member and give some guarantees to the state, adding that Booking.com triggered unfair competition in the sector as it did not pay taxes. 

"Booking.com wanted many guarantees from hotels in Turkey by using its global edge, such as up to 50 percent commission fees and a certain number of room quota. By using these advantages, the website was able to offer the lowest price advantage. The Competition Board fined the website on...

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