EU Blocks Booking.com's Acquisition of eTraveli Over Competition Concerns

EU blocks Booking's acquisition of Swedish rival eTraveli due to concerns over dominant market position
Booking already commands 60% of Europe's online travel agency market; eTraveli operates sites like Gotogate and MyTrip
Deal vetoed to protect consumers and competition in the market
EU worried Booking would dominate flight bookings in addition to its lead in hotel bookings
First merger blocked by EU this year; Booking.com is an Amsterdam subsidiary of US-based Booking Holdings

dw.com

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9/25/2023

EU Blocks Booking.com's Acquisition, Signaling Tougher Oversight of Tech Deals

The European Union's decision to block a deal between Booking and Etraveli demonstrates that European tech companies will also face increased scrutiny and regulation under the new antitrust rules, contradicting the notion that the rules were solely aimed at US tech giants.