Group 1 - Over 10,000 European hotels have joined a collective lawsuit against the booking platform "Booking.com" for compensation due to restrictive pricing clauses [1][5] - The European Court ruled on September 19, 2024, that Booking.com's pricing restrictions violated European competition laws, leading to the cancellation of such clauses [3][5] - The lawsuit claims damages from 2004 to 2024, as the pricing restrictions placed many European hotels at a competitive disadvantage, supported by hotel associations from over 30 European countries [5] Group 2 - In 2023, Booking.com held a 71% market share in Europe, with a significant decline in the proportion of guests booking directly with hotels in recent years [5]

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].