The Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia (CNMC) concluded its long-standing investigation into the company’s practices, determining that Booking.com had engaged in anti-competitive behaviour over the past five years. The regulator stated, “These practices have impacted hotels in Spain and other online travel agencies that are competing with the platform.”
The fine is reportedly the largest ever imposed by the CNMC. A spokeswoman from the regulator highlighted the significance of this penalty, emphasizing its unprecedented nature.
Booking.com has responded to the fine by announcing its intention to appeal. A spokesperson for the company reiterated this stance, saying in February, “We intend to appeal this unprecedented decision in Spain if it becomes final.”
The Spanish market regulator found that Booking.com’s market share in Spain, the world’s second-most visited country after France, ranges between 70% and 90%. Across Europe, the platform holds more than 60% of the market share.
The European Union has previously advocated for stricter regulations on Booking.com, arguing that such measures would provide holidaymakers with “more choices” and give hotels “more business opportunities.”
This fine is not an isolated incident; Booking.com has faced scrutiny and penalties from other European regulators as well. Earlier this month, Hungary’s competition authority fined the company for the second time for failing to cease its “unfair” business practices, which included exerting psychological pressure on customers. In 2020, the Hungarian competition authority fined Booking.com 2.5 billion forints (approximately €6.5 million) for aggressive sales tactics.
As the appeals process unfolds, the implications of this ruling for both Booking.com and the broader online travel industry will be closely watched.