ANAV – the National Association of Travel Agencies – welcomed the decision of the General Court of the European Union confirming the blocking of Booking Holdings' acquisition of Etraveli Group, considering it essential for the defence of Tourism and the balance of the European market. The association, led by Miguel Quintas, considered that the ruling reinforces the importance of preserving competition and the diversity of distribution channels in the sector.
The General Court rejected Booking's appeal and upheld the European Commission's 2023 decision, which prevented the operation. Brussels argued that the acquisition of Etraveli – one of Europe's main online flight booking operators – would strengthen Booking's already dominant position in the online travel agencies market for accommodation, and that this power could be used as a lever to dominate other segments, such as air transport.
For ANAV, the innovation and scale of large platforms are positive for Tourism, but the market cannot evolve to a point where a very small number of operators progressively controls accommodation, transport and the remaining components of travel. The association stressed that channel diversity is essential for consumer freedom of choice, for innovation and to ensure the survival of independent travel agencies.
ANAV advocates for balanced conditions between large digital platforms and independent operators, namely in non-discriminatory access to content, fares, availability and inventory of tourism suppliers. The association guarantees it will continue to defend, before national and European institutions, an open, competitive and diversified tourism ecosystem.
