A draft law prepared by Türkiye's Ministry of Culture and Tourism to regulate foreign digital accommodation platforms has triggered a growing dispute between the country's hotel industry and travel agencies. The Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB) and the Turkish Hoteliers Federation (TÜROFED) have exchanged public statements over the role of international online travel agencies (OTAs), particularly Booking.com, highlighting deep divisions within the sector.
TÜRSAB warns of unfair competition
TÜRSAB President Firuz Bağlıkaya argued that any regulation granting competitive advantages to foreign digital platforms would create unfair competition for Turkish travel agencies. He said TÜRSAB's position is that international platforms operating in Türkiye should be subject to the same licensing, taxation and regulatory obligations as domestic companies.
According to Bağlıkaya, exempting foreign platforms from these requirements would place locally owned travel agencies at a competitive disadvantage and negatively affect domestic investment in the sector.
Calls for investigation into hotel pricing
Bağlıkaya also criticized recent statements by TÜROFED and the Turkish Hoteliers Association (TÜROB), claiming that many hotels charge Turkish citizens higher rates than foreign visitors.
He announced that TÜRSAB would apply to the relevant authorities to request an investigation into pricing practices for domestic and international guests. Bağlıkaya argued that high domestic accommodation prices are encouraging Turkish travelers to choose overseas destinations instead.
TÜROFED opposes restrictions on global platforms
TÜROFED President Erkan Yağcı responded by stating that the federation does not support banning international digital booking platforms but favors regulating them under equal competitive conditions.
Yağcı said platforms such as Booking.com, Expedia and Trip.com should be allowed to operate in Türkiye, provided they comply with requirements related to licensing, local representation, taxation and regulatory oversight.
"Booking.com has been unavailable to Turkish consumers for nine years"
Yağcı argued that Booking.com's inability to offer domestic accommodation bookings to Turkish residents for nearly nine years has harmed the country's tourism industry.
He noted that Turkish consumers can use the platform to book hotels in destinations such as Greece, Spain and Egypt, but cannot make reservations for hotels within Türkiye. According to Yağcı, this situation diverts part of domestic travel demand to competing destinations, negatively affecting both hotels and consumers.
"OTAs complement rather than replace travel agencies"
Yağcı also emphasized that approximately 70% of visitors traveling to Türkiye still book through tour operators and travel agencies, arguing that digital platforms are complementary rather than competing distribution channels.
He said TÜROFED supports strengthening the technological capabilities and digital sales infrastructure of Turkish travel agencies. Referring to regulatory approaches adopted in the European Union, Yağcı added that digital platforms should be governed through rules on transparency, taxation, local representation and effective supervision rather than outright restrictions.
Debate over OTA legislation continues
The debate surrounding Türkiye's proposed legislation on digital accommodation platforms remains ongoing. While travel agencies argue that any preferential treatment for foreign OTAs would create unfair competition, the hotel industry maintains that allowing international digital platforms to operate under equal regulatory conditions would strengthen Türkiye's competitiveness in the global tourism market.