25 February Federal Court finds that Trivago misled consumers about hotel room rates February 25, 2020 By Jenny Le General Federal Court, Trivago, Australian Consumer Law 0 On the 21 January 2020 The Federal Court has found Trivago breached the Australian Consumer Law when it made misleading representations about hotel room rates both on its website and television advertising. The Court ruled that from at least December 2016, Trivago misled consumers by representing its website would quickly and easily help users identify the cheapest rates available for a given hotel. In fact, Trivago used an algorithm which placed significant weight on which online hotel booking site paid Trivago the highest cost-per-click fee in determining its website rankings and often did not highlight the cheapest rates for consumers. The Accommodation Association welcomed the Federal Court decision in our media release of the 21 January. The verdict not only sent a strong message on misleading and deceptive conduct but clearly demonstrated that the ACCC is prepared to take strong enforcement action when online travel agents are found in breach of Australian Consumer Law. The ACCC has sought orders for penalties, declarations, injunctions and costs. The Association continues to liaise with the ACCC on OTA’s and online rate parity and other noncompetitive actions. Related Articles Canberra's Ovolo Nishi hotel reveals new rooms Ovolo Nishi (formerly Hotel Hotel) in Canberra's cultural precinct of NewActon, has unveiled 17 new micro-hotel rooms. Is room service about to disappear? Hotel room service could become a thing of the past as food delivery company Deliveroo rolls out a global program to deliver local cuisine to guests. Contactless Mobile Access Technology is Not Just for Large-Scale Hotel Operations How Hoteliers with Smaller Properties Can Benefit from Contactless Mobile Access Technology to Ensure a Safer, More Efficient and Profitable Business. Arrive Expected: Australia's First Hotel Sky Lobby Rises 21 Storeys above Sydney TFE Hotels’ A by Adina Sydney, set to open late April 2021, is being billed as the flagship property of an elevated new ‘premium’ suite of Apartment Hotels, where VIP guest experience is set to soar to extraordinary heights. Labor plan to boost hotels by helping them stand up to online booking giants Small hotels would be able to advertise online cheap room rates without fear of being punished by web behemoths under a plan Labor says will reduce the financial squeeze facing the tourism sector. Aiden Darling Harbour Appoints Australasia’s First Aiden Hotel GM Australia’s newest luxury boutique hotel, Aiden Darling Harbour has appointed young gun hospitality leader, Michael Sharp as its opening General Manager and the first to lead an Aiden-branded hotel in Australasia. Showing 0 Comment Comments are closed.