Hotel reservation sites are forced to put an end to misleading sales tactics | Business

Hotel reservation sites will be forced to make major changes after the UK competition watchdog has realized that they regularly exert sales pressure, mislead consumers about prices and give more prominence to the highest paid hotels.

The Competition Authority and Markets are attacking websites such as Expedia, Booking.com and Hotels.com for practices that give a false impression of the popularity of a hotel. , with claims such as "a room left at this price" and "reserved four times". last 24 hours.

According to the AMC, the pressure tactics used by six companies (including Trivago, ebookers and Agoda) could prevent customers from finding the best deals in practices that could constitute a violation of consumer law.

Andrew Tyrie, chairman of the regulator, said: "The AMC has taken steps to put an end to misleading sales tactics, hidden fees and other practices in the marketplace. online hotel booking. These have been totally unacceptable.

"Six websites have already made a firm commitment not to adopt these practices. They are among the largest hotel reservation sites. The CMA will do everything in its power to ensure that the rest of the industry meets the same standards. "

Web sites have a September 1 deadline to make changes or deal with new actions. Not all companies have engaged in all questionable practices, but they have all agreed to adhere to all the principles set out by the CMA.

The AMC launched its investigation in October 2017, claiming that, with 70% of people looking for hotels on online booking sites, consumers should have the badurance of getting the best deal.

Rory Boland, Editor-in-Chief of the Which? Consumer group, said, "We have regularly exposed sites like this to dubious tactics such as pressure selling, underhanded charges, suspicious transactions and rebate claims. . action.

"These changes must now be quickly implemented to put an end to these deceptive practices. Customers can therefore trust that the offers presented to them are actually offers and are shown the total cost of their room when booking a hotel online. "