By Alimat Aliyeva

Booking.com, the world’s leading online travel platform, is
currently facing one of the largest class-action lawsuits in the
history of the tourism industry, Azernews
reports.

More than 10,000 hotels across various European countries have
joined forces to file a lawsuit against Booking.com. These hotel
representatives are seeking compensation for what they describe as
unfair terms and excessive commission fees imposed over the past 20
years. The dispute centers on a landmark decision made by the
European Court of Justice in the fall of 2024. The court ruled that
Booking.com’s “best price” clauses—which prevented hotels from
offering lower rates on their own websites or through other
channels—violated European competition laws. These restrictions
severely limited hotels’ freedom to set their own prices and led to
a significant decline in direct bookings. The plaintiffs claim that
between 2004 and 2024, they incurred financial losses amounting to
millions of euros due to these practices.

The ongoing class-action lawsuit is being handled in the
Netherlands, where Booking.com is registered, and is coordinated by
the Hotel Claims Review Alliance. The lawsuit is supported by
HOTREC, the European association representing hotels, restaurants,
and cafés, as well as over 30 national hotel associations,
including the German Hotel Association (IHA). To accommodate more
participants, HOTREC has extended the deadline for hotels wishing
to join the lawsuit until August 29.

Despite this legal challenge, Booking.com remains a crucial
sales channel for many hotels, helping them reach millions of
travelers worldwide. According to recent studies, Booking Holdings,
the parent company of Booking.com, held a dominant market share of
71% in Europe and 72.3% in Germany in 2023. Meanwhile, the share of
direct bookings in Germany declined by 8% during the same period,
further increasing hotels’ reliance on online travel agencies.

It’s worth noting that while platforms like Booking.com have
revolutionized the global travel industry by offering unprecedented
reach and convenience, some industry experts argue that the golden
age of such platforms may be nearing its end. With growing calls
for fairer pricing practices and the rising popularity of direct
booking incentives, the travel landscape is poised for significant
change.

Casetta Hotels has reopened Big Bear’s beloved Hotel Marina Riviera, marking a new chapter for an iconic lakefront lodge originally built in 1968.

Perched on the quiet edge of Big Bear Lake, the Viking-inspired property underwent a thoughtful restoration led by Los Angeles-based design studio Electric Bowery. The result is a layered, nostalgic hospitality experience that merges alpine nostalgia with the louche charm of a 1970s mountain escape.

Cozy guestrooms

The 42 guestrooms at Hotel Marina Riviera have been reimagined with a warm, earthy palette of terracotta, umber, pine, and deep forest green.

Natural oak flooring, hand-finished woodwork in graphic plaid, and bespoke furnishings by local artisans ground the interiors, while murals of pastoral scenes nod to the lodge’s vintage roots. Accommodations are also punctuated by lake-blue, mossy green, and burnt orange tones that mirror the surrounding alpine terrain.

Public spaces at Hotel Marina Riviera

In the lobby, guests are greeted by a moody fireplace lounge and a curated analog record nook, which sets the tone for slow afternoons and cozy evenings.

Adding to the revitalized energy is De La Nonna Big Bear, the first mountain outpost of the popular LA pizzeria. The restaurant is breezy and unfussy, channeling the relaxed rhythm of lake life with inlaid wood paneling, Japanese tilework, and mirrored surfaces that reflect the mountain’s changing light.

Outside, guests can relax in the year-round heated pool, cold plunge, barrel sauna, or kick back by one of several sunset-facing fire pits.

More from HD:
High-End Residences Are the Next Frontier of Living Well
What I’ve Learned Podcast: Chantell Walsh, Strategic Hotels & Resorts
5 Designers Get Real About Gen Z Misconceptions

Qiddiya Investment Company announced today a strategic partnership with Adeera Hospitality, the national hospitality company established by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). This partnership will see Adeera operate a portfolio of hotels across Qiddiya City—the future capital of entertainment, sports and culture.

“This partnership reflects Qiddiya’s commitment to delivering exceptional experiences rooted in excellence, quality and Saudi identity. Adeera brings the depth, readiness and Saudi-rooted identity needed to bring our hospitality vision to life. We are leveraging a national champion purpose-built to deliver authentic Saudi hospitality at scale,” said Managing Director of Qiddiya Investment Company Abdullah AlDawood.

Elevating Saudi identity in hospitality experiences

This partnership aims to introduce a new model in hotel management and operations, moving beyond traditional approaches to elevate the Saudi identity in hospitality experiences, in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030 and its ambitions to develop the tourism and hospitality sector as a key driver of economic diversification.

“We are honored to be part of this landmark national project. This partnership sets the tone for what Adeera was built to do—to power Saudi Arabia’s ambitious hospitality pipeline with living, breathing brands that embody the hospitable Saudi culture. We are not just managing hotels; we are showcasing what Saudi hospitality means on the world stage,” said CEO of Adeera Stefan Leser.

Adeera unveils portfolio of Saudi-born hotel brands

This announcement also marks the public reveal of Adeera’s portfolio of Saudi-born hotel brands, which includes Alia, an elevated Saudi luxury brand; Sama, a vibrant five-star contemporary lifestyle experience; and Noor, an essential, efficient mid-market concept.

These brands are designed to capture the energy of transformation and to set new standards—rooted in Saudi culture, driven by contemporary design and built for global relevance. The names Alia, Sama and Noor are inspired by words from the Saudi national anthem, adding a deeper layer of cultural significance to Adeera’s brand identity.

This collaboration with Adeera enhances strategic alignment under the umbrella of the PIF and paves the way for the development of an integrated tourism infrastructure in Qiddiya City, which is preparing to welcome millions of visitors annually from around the world, thanks to its world-class attractions, such as Six Flags Qiddiya and Aquarabia, the region’s largest water park.