Google is working with select hotels to stifle competition, which is making travel more expensive for consumers, according to a report.
In their report, the Wall Street Journal explained how consumers are being stopped by Google from seeing “the lowest price deals.”
“More than 100 million Americans are expected to travel during the holidays, and many will search for lodging online. But travelers may unknowingly pay more and fail to see all of their options because some major hotels have ganged up with Google to undercut competition,” reported the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday, adding that online travel agencies (OTAs) “like Expedia, Priceline and Travelocity have replaced brick-and-mortar agents by offering consumers more choice and convenience at a lower price.”
“As hotels get squeezed by Airbnb and home rental sites, they have begun complaining that OTAs are eating into their profits. Several major hotels are now trying to use Google as a counterweight, while Google is exploiting its search dominance to steer consumers to its travel service,” they declared.
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people don't know that calling hotel direct you can get a better price, I know that's hoe I do it.
ReplyDeleteReal great...OC cannot fill their hotels during the week days, this will only make it worse. City FAIL cannot get out in front of anything, let alone get out of their own old mind thinking ways - so no chance with them as a collective working with hotel managers.
ReplyDeleteSad.