A Turkish parliamentary commission has approved a bill that would require foreign online accommodation platforms such as Booking.com and Airbnb to obtain an operating permit and cap the commissions they charge on domestic bookings, Hürriyet Daily News reported on Oct. 7. The law is expected to take effect on Jan. 1, 2027.
The move could pave the way for Booking.com to resume domestic hotel reservations for users in Türkiye. The platform stopped taking such bookings after a 2017 court ruling in a case brought by the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB), although reservations for Turkish properties made from abroad have remained available.
Key provisions
Under the bill, foreign platforms would need a two-year permit from the Culture and Tourism Ministry, costing 5 million liras (about $101,000) and adjusted annually. They would have to register for digital services tax, appoint a representative in Türkiye, keep a local address for official notices and respond to information requests within 15 days.
Licensed platforms would be allowed to sell ministry-certified accommodation, tourism-purpose rental properties and airline tickets directly. Total commissions on domestic bookings would be capped at 17% of the service price, excluding taxes. Platforms could not unfairly push down a property's ranking, suspend its listings or prevent it from selling through other channels.
Violations could bring fines of up to 500,000 liras, and fees collected in breach of the rules could trigger penalties of ten times the amount. Repeat offences could lead to a permit being cancelled. Existing foreign platforms would have three months after the law takes effect to apply.
Industry divided
The proposal has split the sector. Some industry representatives say the commission cap could lower hotel prices at first but warn that global platforms might gain too much market power over time. Mehmet Gem of business confederation TÜKONFED questioned whether a local representative alone would ensure that travellers can resolve cancellations or disputes.
TÜRSAB President Firuz Bağlıkaya opposed the bill, arguing it would let foreign platforms operate without setting up a company in Türkiye, disadvantage local agencies and send more commission payments abroad.
For international visitors, little changes immediately: bookings made from outside Türkiye continue as before. The bill still needs to complete the parliamentary process before becoming law.
Sources
- Türkiye advances regulation of Booking.com, Airbnb – Hürriyet Daily News
- Türkiye weighs new rules for foreign booking platforms – Hürriyet Daily News
Photo: Mathemonkey / CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
