Motel owners say Booking.com has a stranglehold on their businesses
Motel owners in Australia are expressing frustration with Booking.com, citing high commission fees that impact their profitability. Many operators, like Simon Wurs, have breached contracts to offer lower rates directly to customers. A class action lawsuit against Booking.com is underway in Europe, highlighting ongoing concerns about the company's business practices.
- ▪Motel owner Simon Wurs broke his contract with Booking.com to offer better rates to customers.
- ▪Commissions to Booking.com can range from 12 to 30 percent, significantly affecting motel owners' profits.
- ▪A class action lawsuit against Booking.com is being pursued by two Dutch consumer groups.
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Booking.com is being sued in Europe, but Aussie travellers aren't includedBy the Specialist Reporting Team's Lucy Kent and national consumer affairs reporter Michael AtkinTopic:Consumer ProtectionSat 30 May 2026 at 7:08amSat 30 May 2026 at 7:08amSat 30 May 2026 at 7:08amBooking.com has become increasingly popular with Aussie travellers. (ABC News)abc.net.au/news/booking-com-price-parity-clauses/106727746Link copiedShareShare articleMotel owner Simon Wurs was so furious with his Booking.com contract he broke it to give his customers a better deal.Customers who booked directly on the website of his Bendigo City Centre motel saved plenty of money, paying $165 a night for a standard double room compared to those who reserved the same room through Booking.com and paid $190.Booking.com has…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at ABC News (Australia).