Booking.Com Banned In Turkey

Booking.com has been banned in Turkey following the beginning of a lawsuit concerning competition laws. The lawsuit was brought about by the Turkish Travel Agencies Association, and the website has been unavailable to users as “a precautionary measure” as the case proceeds. Booking.com has appealed against the decision to block access to the site, saying that it “contributes to healthy competition in the market by offering Turkish consumers a transparent and easy platform to compare and book accommodation”. However, lawyers representing the prosecution have said that they believe the site is “engaging in unfair competition” in Turkey's hotel market. Whilst the ban is only temporary, it has not been announced when the suspension of trading will be lifted in the country. Booking.com was recently fined 650,000 US dollars by the Turkish Competition Authority, following another case in which it was found guilty of abusing its dominant market position. 

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