Hotels in the Canary Islands are stepping up legal action against Booking.com, accusing the online platform of engaging in "anticompetitive practices" that have allegedly stifled profits and curtailed the industry’s commercial independence for several years.
The claims, spearheaded by Andalusian law firm Montero Aramburu & Gómez-Villares Atencia, in collaboration with Madrid-based firm Eskariam, are being brought on behalf of clients across both Andalusia and the Canary Islands.
The legal push follows a landmark ruling by the European Court of Justice in September 2024, which cast serious doubt on the legality of so-called "parity clauses" enforced by Booking.com.
These clauses, long a point of contention in the hospitality sector, prevented hotels from offering lower prices or better terms on their own websites or via competing booking platforms. Critics argue this practice effectively restricted fair competition and undermined the commercial freedom of hotel operators.
The European court found that such clauses were neither necessary nor proportionate, prompting legal professionals to describe the judgment as a potential turning point for hoteliers seeking redress.
In a joint statement, Montero Aramburu & Gómez-Villares Atencia emphasised that their partnership with Eskariam aims to provide a "comprehensive legal solution that combines technical expertise, industry knowledge, and local proximity" to support affected businesses in the tourism sector.
While Booking.com has yet to respond publicly to the mounting legal pressure, the outcome of these proceedings could have significant implications for the online travel industry and the contractual practices it employs across Europe.
