Digital Services Act: HOTREC unveils position paper ahead of key European Commission legislative proposals

 

Online marketplaces, social networks, collaborative economy websites and search engines have in many regards changed the way customers book their accommodation, select their means of travelling, go out and discover local restaurants, bars and attractions. It has expanded choice and possibilities for consumers, invigorated competition, fuelled innovation and put new destinations on the map.

As such, HOTREC welcomes the European Commission’s aim to submit a proposal for a Digital Services Act package by the end of 2020, which would include a revision of the E-Commerce Directive and the introduction of new rules to address the power of gatekeeper platforms and structural competition issues – key subjects for the online hotel booking market – and has outlined its views in a position paper that can be consulted on HOTREC’s website:

  • Strengthen the bargaining power of European tourism and hospitality SMEs towards major online intermediaries – an essential issue to support the recovery of our sector amidst the Covid-19 crisis
  • Provide long-term legal certainty in the digital economy for platforms and business users
  • Create an appropriate governance framework for platform-driven services
  • Establish a level-playing field with collaborative economy services such as short-term rentals of accommodation and meal-sharing services.

While the European Commission is expected to present its proposal on 9 December at the time of writing, the European Parliament adopted a ‘legislative initiative’ report on 20 October. The report, prepared by Maltese S&D MEP Alex Agius Saliba, essentially confirms the general approach proposed by the European Commission on tackling illegal content while maintaining limited liability provisions and a ban on any general monitoring obligation. MEPs have added however key requests on regulating collaborative economy activities such as short-term rentals of accommodation.

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Meeting DG HOME + DG GROW: Ukrainian refugees
01/03/2023    
14:00 - 15:00
On 1 March 2023, HOTREC held a meeting with DG Home and DG GROW on the Ukrainian refugees topic.  Participants to the meeting European Commission [...]
Pact for Skills - coordination meeting
02/03/2023    
15:00 - 16:30
Main outcome of the meeting available
09 Mar
09/03/2023    
10:00 - 12:00
Presentation and draft minutes are now available.
European Platform Undeclared Work - Ukraine refugees sub-group
09/03/2023    
10:00
Participants:  Participants of ELA (European Labour Authority), labour inspectors from Member States, European Federation of Employers; HOTREC (Marta Machado) Agenda Subgroup on displaced persons and [...]
10 Mar
10/03/2023    
11:00 - 12:00
ExCom Video Conference Link ExCom draft agenda - 10 March 2023 Draft Minutes of ExCom meeting of 25 January 2023 Antitrust Statement HOTREC Statutes HOTRE [...]
14 Mar
14/03/2023    
10:00 - 12:00
We are delighted to invite you to the Social Affairs Working Group meeting, taking place on 14 March 2023, online. Please register by using this [...]
Sectoral Social Dialogue meeting
20/03/2023    
10:00 - 13:00
We are delighted to invite you to the next Sectoral Social Dialogue (SSD) meeting, which will be hybrid, taking place on 20 March 2023 (from [...]
23 Mar
23/03/2023    
10:00 - 12:00
SAVE THE DATE: 23 March Exact timing and agenda TBC
Online Series: 90 Minutes to Close The Loop
30/03/2023    
14:00 - 15:30
Online Series: 90 Minutes to Close The Loop Episode 9 – broadcast live on the 30th of March 2023 at 14:00 to 15:30 Roadmap for [...]
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14 Mar
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