Core Viewpoint - Over 10,000 European hotels have joined a collective lawsuit against Booking.com, seeking compensation for losses incurred due to a now-invalid clause that restricted competitive pricing [2][3]. Group 1: Lawsuit Details - The collective lawsuit targets Booking.com for damages from 2004 to 2024, claiming that the platform's clause put many hotels at a competitive disadvantage [2]. - The clause, which prohibited hotels from offering lower prices through their own or third-party channels, was ruled illegal by the European Court on September 19, 2024 [2]. - The deadline for hotels to join the lawsuit has been extended from July 31 to August 29 due to high demand for claims [3]. Group 2: Industry Impact - The lawsuit is supported by hotel industry associations from over 30 European countries, including Austria, Germany, Greece, and Italy [3]. - Despite dissatisfaction with Booking.com's practices, many hotels rely on the platform to expand their customer base [3]. - Booking.com holds a significant market share, accounting for 71% of the European market in 2023, with a notable decline in direct bookings from guests to hotels in recent years [3].

Core Insights - Airbnb has launched a revamped app aimed at expanding services beyond home rentals, targeting a broader audience including private chefs, hairstylists, fitness trainers, and tour guides, with a goal of generating over $1 billion in annual revenue [1][2] - The new "Services" module and the relaunch of "Experiences" feature high-end, customized offerings, with nearly 20,000 curated experiences available at an average price of $66 [2][4] - The company plans to charge service providers approximately 15% commission, similar to the fees charged to hosts, while ensuring quality through a controlled onboarding process [4][6] Business Expansion - The new services will initially cover 260 cities globally, while the Experiences feature will start in 650 cities, reflecting a strategic approach to growth [4] - CEO Brian Chesky emphasized that the new offerings aim to integrate Airbnb more deeply into users' lives, allowing for service use even in their home cities [2][8] - The company is learning from past mistakes and focusing on high-quality, unique experiences rather than a broad range of offerings [6][7] Market Positioning - Airbnb's new services are positioned differently from competitors like Tripadvisor's Viator and GetYourGuide, which focus on ticket sales and tours, with estimates of around $3 billion in annual bookings for these platforms [5] - The company is also considering adding car rental services in the future, although it is currently not a priority [7] - Chesky believes that the expansion will help collect more data on user travel habits, enhancing personalized recommendations and potentially integrating advanced AI models for a more luxurious experience [7][8]