Booking.com, Innfinite's view, and Skoosh.com's response

We really had to publish this, there’s so much evidence of strong feelings on this topic, about which we featured our own thoughts on  http://ukhotelexperts.co.uk/2012/booking-com-why-we-detest-this-apparent-necessary-evil-in-hotel-distribution

- and those of George Panyotis at http://ukhotelexperts.co.uk/2012/booking-com-the-sequel

Hotels continue to walk blindfold straight into the arms of the OTA’s – these thing in the artciles above really need to be said.

Here’s the reply to Innfintie from Dorian Harris, from www.skoosh.com

Hi Robert,

Great piece.

Can I urge you to in turn urge your clients to formalise their complaints by sending them direct (or via you) to the O.F.T.

I realise you have wider concerns than rate parity but I think if we can stop Booking.com on that front it will send out a strong message to hoteliers that they don’t have to accept every cockamamie new condition Booking.com forces upon them.

I’m aware, of course, that many hotels will be afraid to speak out in case it further damages their ‘relationship’ with those scoundrels. I can’t guarantee that won’t happen but I believe it’s very unlikely. For all their public bravado, Booking.com is fully aware of the dangerous legal situation they’ve placed themselves in as evidenced in their notes to their shareholders.

The hoteliers could even submit their complaints anonymously stating they fear reprisals were they to go on public record.

I want to stress again that the subject of the complaint should related largely, if not exclusively, to rate parity. The O.F.T. also covers unfair business practices but that’s not what they’re currently investigating.

Complaints should be address to Sadrul Islam: sadrul.islam@oft.gsi.gov.uk

Cheers,

Dorian