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UK: Travel site makes harsh claims against Expedia, Booking.com rivals

By  |  September 15, 2013

As Friday marked the end of the public consultation regarding the UK’s Office of Fair Trading investigation into travel sites Expedia and Booking.com, struggling rival site Skoosh.com made allegations against the competitors, claiming the two colluded to fix their “discount” prices.

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    Skoosh.com CEO Dorian Harris claimed his site was squeezed out of the market because of the competitors’ collusion and, when Skoosh attempted to compete with lower prices, Harris said he was threatened with violence by hotel owners.

    The OFT launched its investigation into the websites in 2010 following allegations they worked with InterContinental Hotels Group, the world’s largest hotel room provider, and set anticompetitive agreements, including fixing prices.

    The parties submitted Concessions to the OFT, though have not admitted to any wrongdoing.

    The OFT declined to comment on the ongoing case. But Harris told reporters that the anticompetitive business practices of Expedia and Booking.com forced Skoosh out of the market.

    Full Content: The Daily Mail

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