The Competition Council recently expanded the investigation launched last spring into the market for the sale of tourism products and travel service packages through travel agencies, now investigating, among others, the agencies Cocktail Holidays, Nova Travel (part of the Eurolines Group), Prestige Tours International, and Charter Broker, according to market sources.
The investigation could be finalized by the end of this year, according to the cited sources.
In April 2016, the Competition Council launched an investigation into a possible violation of competition rules on the market for the sale of tourism products and travel service packages through travel agencies, following an anonymous tip. The authority suspects travel agencies of coordinating their commercial policies to impose a minimum selling price for travel packages.
The agencies under investigation in this case are: Paralela 45, Paravion, Eximtur, Mareea, Christian Tour, Perfect Tour, HappyTour, Eurolines, Klever Travel, Europabus, Danubius Travel, and Amarino.
This is the first investigation launched by the competition authority following information received through an anonymous tip registered on the competition whistleblowers’ platform. This platform is a tool that ensures the anonymity of individuals wishing to communicate information to the Competition Council regarding cartel-type activities of certain companies.
Source: Economica
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Competition Council investigating?
The Council is investigating potential price-fixing and coordination of commercial policies among major Romanian travel agencies to impose minimum prices.
Which new agencies have been added to the probe?
The investigation has expanded to include Cocktail Holidays, Nova Travel, Prestige Tours International, and Charter Broker.
How did this investigation start?
It was the first investigation triggered by an anonymous tip submitted through the Competition Council’s whistleblower platform.