Who Owns Booking.com?

Booking Holdings has set science-based climate targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in 2024. The company aims to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 95% and absolute Scope 3 emissions by 50% against a 2019 baseline by 2030. By 2040, the company targets a 90% reduction in Scope 3 emissions against the same baseline. These are independently verified targets, not self-declared goals.

Booking.com has introduced sustainability features on its platform, including a Travel Sustainable badge that highlights properties with verified sustainability practices. The badge is based on criteria developed by Booking.com in consultation with sustainability experts. Properties must meet specific requirements related to waste reduction, energy efficiency, water conservation, and local community engagement to earn the badge.

The company's 2025 Travel and Sustainability Report found that 53% of travelers are conscious of tourism's impact on local communities and the environment. Booking.com uses this data to inform its product features and partner programs.

Booking Holdings publishes annual sustainability reports detailing progress toward its climate targets, renewable energy usage, and social impact programs. The company's sustainability strategy is organized around three pillars: Planet, People and Communities, and Travel.

No third-party certifications such as B Corp status or LEED certification apply to Booking.com as a brand. The SBTi validation applies to Booking Holdings at the corporate level. The Travel Sustainable badge is a proprietary program, not an independently certified label.

Spanish Antitrust Fines (2024): Spanish regulators imposed two fines totaling 413 million euros ($448 million) on Booking.com in July 2024 for abusing its dominant position in the Spanish market. The National Markets and Competition Commission (CNMC) found that Booking.com engaged in anti-competitive practices. An additional Spanish fine of approximately $530 million was reported in a draft decision, bringing total Spanish penalties to nearly $1 billion for 2024.

European Hotel Class Action (2025-2026): In August 2025, Hotrec (Hotels, Restaurants and Cafes in Europe) initiated a class action lawsuit on behalf of over 10,000 European hotels. The lawsuit alleges that Booking.com used illegal "best price" parity clauses between 2004 and 2024 to distort the market. The deadline for hotels to join was extended to August 29, 2025 due to high demand. By July 2026, the lawsuit had expanded with nearly 7,700 hotels joining an existing action in the Netherlands. The total claim is estimated at approximately 8 billion euros.

Italian Antitrust Investigation (2026): In April 2026, Italy's antitrust regulator opened an investigation into Booking.com over alleged unfair commercial practices linked to its "Preferred Partner" and "Preferred Partner Plus" programs. The regulator suspects that hotels enrolled in these programs receive better search positioning and visual prominence based on commission rates paid to Booking.com rather than service quality. Italian finance police conducted inspections at Booking.com's Italian offices. The regulator noted that 70% of hotel bookings in Italy are made through specialized websites, with Booking.com accounting for 42% of digital bookings.

Dutch Consumer Class Action: Two Dutch consumer groups filed a class action lawsuit alleging that Dutch travelers have paid inflated prices since 2013 due to Booking.com's parity clauses. The lawsuit claims approximately 1 billion euros in losses for consumers. The groups also allege the use of "dark patterns" including misleading statements about hidden costs, prices, and room availability. Booking.com stated that the claims are "incorrect and unjustified" and that it had removed parity clauses in Europe.

Market Dominance Concerns: Booking Holdings controlled approximately 71% of the European online travel market in 2024, up from 68.4% in 2019. This level of market concentration has attracted scrutiny from competition authorities across multiple European jurisdictions and has been cited as evidence in antitrust proceedings.

Commission Rate Criticism: Hotel partners and industry associations have criticized Booking.com's commission rates, which typically range from 15% to 25% of the booking value. Hoteliers argue that the company's market power allows it to impose unfavorable terms. Booking.com has defended its commissions as reflecting the value of the platform's reach and booking volume.