Italy's antitrust agency probes Booking.com for alleged unfair commercial practices

Booking Holdings

22/04/2026 07:11

ROME, April 22 (Reuters) - Italy's antitrust regulator said on Wednesday it had opened an investigation into Booking.com BKNG.O and two of its units for alleged unfair commercial practices linked to how hotels are ranked on its platform.

The selection of the accommodation facilities in the online travel platform's "Preferred Partners" programme - which receive better positioning in search results and greater visual presence - is based on criteria that favour those who offer higher commissions to Booking.com, the authority said in a statement.

The investigation targets Booking.com B.V., Booking.com International B.V. and Booking.com (Italy) S.r.l.

On Tuesday, the watchdog carried out inspections at the premises of the Italian unit of Booking.com, assisted by Italy's finance police.

Booking.com was not immediately available for comment.

 (Reporting by Giulia Segreti, editing by Gavin Jones)

 ((Giulia.Segreti@tr.com; +39.06.80307714;))