In October 2016, the European Commission and EU consumer protection authorities launched a coordinated EU-wide screening of price comparison and travel booking websites.

The consumer protection authorities of 28 countries (26 EU countries, Norway and Iceland) checked a total of 352 websites comparing offers and prices, mainly in the travel sector. 

The results of the screening are being presented today.  

The consumer protection authorities have asked these websites to bring their practices in line with EU consumer legislation. This legislation requires them to be fully transparent about prices, and to present offers in a clear way, at an early stage in the booking process. 

Věra Jourová, Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, said: "The Internet provides consumers with plenty of information to prepare, compare and book their holidays. However, if the reviews on comparison websites are biased or prices are not transparent, these websites are misleading consumers. The companies concerned need to respect the European consumer rules, just like a travel agent would. Consumer authorities will now require the websites to solve these issues. Consumers deserve the same protection online and offline."

More information

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