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American Hotel & Lodging Association Opposes Expedia-Orbitz Merger

Dennis Schaal photo
Dennis Schaal

Photo Credit: The ballroom at the New York Marriott Marquis. Marriott International

Skift Take

Expedia's acquisition of Orbitz Worldwide would indeed limit consumer choice. However, what the American Hotel & Lodging Association doesn't mention is that Expedia-Orbitz would only control about 15 percent of the overall U.S. travel market when you consider hotels' own websites, phone lines and offline options in general.

With Expedia Inc.'s pending acquisition of Orbitz Worldwide seemingly sailing toward regulatory approval, the American Hotel & Lodging Association came out against it today, arguing that Orbitz would hike its commissions to loftier Expedia levels. The commissions that hoteliers pay Expedia are about 11 percent higher than they pay Orbitz, according to the AH&LA. The Washington-based trade association, which represents many properties and operators within the U.S. hotel industry, stated that the industry consolidation, which would have Expedia owning Travelocity, Orbitz and sub-brands

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