A U.K. antitrust regulator opened an investigation into possible competition law violations in the online hotel-booking industry and is contacting companies to request information.
“Investigators will be focusing on allegations that there could be agreements or concerted practices related to fixed or minimum resale prices of hotel rooms booked online,” Office of Fair Trading spokesman Frank Shepherd said. “In this case the claimant has made himself known.”
U.K. internet-travel firm Skoosh.com asked the regulator in April to investigate claims that Expedia Inc. and Priceline.com Inc. fix prices for hotel rooms by blocking cheaper offers from online wholesalers, founder Dorian Harris said in July. The OFT asked Harris to provide them with further information, he said.
The probe is at an early stage, the OFT said in a statement today. An Expedia spokeswoman said they were aware of the investigation. Priceline spokesman Brian Ek declined to comment.
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