Expedia (and the FairSearch group behind the scenes) has triggered something in the travel distribution ecosystem – with many now lining up wanting to take Google to task in Europe.
A move by Expedia to lodge a complaint with the European Commission over alleged violations of “business and search practices” was followed earlier today by a similar strategy by TripAdvisor.
Now ETTSA (European Technology and Travel Services Association), the Brussels-based lobbying group which counts Travelport, Sabre, Amadeus and a number of large online travel agencies such as Ebookers, eDreams and Opodo as members, has joined calls for Google to be investigated.
ETTSA secretary general Christophe Klenner says the group is throwing its “full support” behind the decision by Expedia (another of its members) to file a complaint to the EC.
“This complaint highlights the risks to transparency, choice and fair competition posed by Google’s recent actions.”
Klenner argues that consumers expect Google search results to be neutral, “but this is not the case when the results favour Google’s own platforms, such as Flight Search”.
The GDSs are abiding by “strict neutrality principles” included in European Union legislation when displaying results for air-related queries.
Similar to Expedia and TripAdvisor, ETTSA wants the Commission to examine Google’s role and dominance of consumer search.
Klenner adds:
“This will protect consumers and the online travel market which is a vital contributor to the European economy and a growth engine for the future.”
NB: Target image via Shutterstock.
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