15 Ruling-Party Lawmakers Push Greek Government to Rein In Booking Platform Fees

Fifteen New Democracy lawmakers have formally questioned two Greek ministers over what they describe as unfair practices by online travel platforms, calling for possible caps on booking commissions charged to hotel and tourism business

In a parliamentary question submitted to Development Minister Takis Theodorikakos and Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni, the lawmakers warned of "misleading" practices and "excessive" brokerage fees affecting owners of tourism businesses who rely on online travel agencies.

The lawmakers noted that tourism generated 43.3 million visitors in 2025 and contributed €32.4 billion directly to Greece's economy, or 13% of GDP.

They said most hoteliers depend heavily on platforms such as Booking.com, which controls 45% of the market, leaving property owners facing what they called "suffocating market control" from online travel agencies.

Despite an ongoing investigation by Greece's Competition Commission, the lawmakers said tourism businesses continue to face "aggressive" advertising tactics and manipulative digital practices known as "dark patterns."

The lawmakers asked the ministers whether they intend to pursue legislation capping brokerage commission rates, whether they will prohibit platforms from withholding commission on VAT and other taxes, what action the General Secretariat of Commerce plans to take against aggressive advertising practices, and how the ministry intends to use findings from the Competition Commission's ongoing consultation to permanently eliminate unfair practices.

The question was co-signed by lawmakers Spyridon Kyriakis, Thanasis Lioutas, Periklis Mantas, Andreas Nikolakopoulos, Lefteris Ktistakis, Thanasis Stavropoulos, Maria Kefala, Giorgos Vrettakos, Lefteris Avgenakis, Markos Kafouros, Nikos Panagiotopoulos, Angeliki Delikari, Vasilis Giogiakas, Vasilis Ypsilantis and Filippos Fortomas.

By Emmanuella Argeiti

Διαβάστε περισσότερα στο iefimerida.gr

Fifteen New Democracy lawmakers have formally questioned two Greek ministers over what they describe as unfair practices by online travel platforms, calling for possible caps on booking commissions charged to hotel and tourism business owners.

In a parliamentary question submitted to Development Minister Takis Theodorikakos and Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni, the lawmakers warned of "misleading" practices and "excessive" brokerage fees affecting owners of tourism businesses who rely on online travel agencies.

The lawmakers noted that tourism generated 43.3 million visitors in 2025 and contributed €32.4 billion directly to Greece's economy, or 13% of GDP.

They said most hoteliers depend heavily on platforms such as Booking.com, which controls 45% of the market, leaving property owners facing what they called "suffocating market control" from online travel agencies.

Despite an ongoing investigation by Greece's Competition Commission, the lawmakers said tourism businesses continue to face "aggressive" advertising tactics and manipulative digital practices known as "dark patterns."

The lawmakers asked the ministers whether they intend to pursue legislation capping brokerage commission rates, whether they will prohibit platforms from withholding commission on VAT and other taxes, what action the General Secretariat of Commerce plans to take against aggressive advertising practices, and how the ministry intends to use findings from the Competition Commission's ongoing consultation to permanently eliminate unfair practices.

The question was co-signed by lawmakers Spyridon Kyriakis, Thanasis Lioutas, Periklis Mantas, Andreas Nikolakopoulos, Lefteris Ktistakis, Thanasis Stavropoulos, Maria Kefala, Giorgos Vrettakos, Lefteris Avgenakis, Markos Kafouros, Nikos Panagiotopoulos, Angeliki Delikari, Vasilis Giogiakas, Vasilis Ypsilantis and Filippos Fortomas.

By Emmanuella Argeiti

Διαβάστε περισσότερα στο iefimerida.gr