The context of the Digital Markets Act
The Digital Markets Act (DMA) represents an epochal change in the landscape of digital platforms in Europe. This regulation, introduced by the European Commission, has as its main objective to guarantee a fairer and more competitive market, regulating large platforms that operate as intermediaries between companies and consumers. Booking Holdings, owner of Booking.com, has been identified as a gatekeeper, which implies that it will have to comply with specific obligations to ensure transparency and competition in the online booking sector
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The new rules for Booking.com
With the entry into force of the DMA, Booking.com will have to change its business approach. Until now, many accommodation facilities were obliged to offer the best prices exclusively on this platform. However, the new regulation will allow these companies to differentiate prices and conditions on other online sales channels. This change will not only foster greater competition, but it will also offer consumers more options and potentially more competitive prices
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The statements of the European authorities
Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice President and Commissioner responsible for competition, underlined the importance of this step for the European tourism sector. “As a key player in the European tourism ecosystem, Booking must now comply with the DMA. Its role as an intermediary between companies and customers will become fairer and more open,” he said. This statement highlights the intent of the European Commission to create a fairer market environment, where small and medium-sized enterprises can compete on equal terms with the giants
of the sector.
Implications for the tourism sector
The new DMA rules don’t just affect Booking.com, but will have a significant impact on the entire tourism sector. Housing, car rental and other travel services companies will now be able to explore different pricing and marketing strategies. This could lead to a greater diversification of offers and a better experience for consumers, who will benefit from healthier competition and more advantageous options
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Conclusions on the future of the digital market
The Digital Markets Act represents a fundamental step towards a more open and competitive digital market. With the implementation of these new rules, platforms like Booking.com are expected to adapt to a new operating paradigm, where transparency and competition will be at the center of their strategies. This will not only benefit businesses, but it will also provide consumers with better and fairer access to travel
services.