Turkish court suspends Booking.com activities over unfair competition


A Turkish court has ruled for the suspension of Booking.com's activities in the country on Wednesday after the Turkish Travel Agencies Association (TURSAB) filed a lawsuit over unfair competition.

According to a statement released on TURSAB's website, Istanbul's 5th commercial court of first instance ruled in favor of the association, suspending the online hotel reservation website's activities as precaution against unfair competition.

Access to the website is expected to be blocked following the official court notice.

The Turkish Competition Authority previously imposed an administrative fine of TL 2.5 million($650,000) on Booking.com in accordance with the related clauses of "Regulation on Fines to Impose in Cases of Agreements, Concerted Practices and Decisions Limiting Competition, and Abuse of Dominant Position."