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Italy: Online travel sites fined by watchdog

By  |  January 17, 2018

Italian antitrust watchdog AGCM has fined six of the most popular travel websites a total of US$4 million for lack of transparency regarding costs and contract terms. In a statement, the antitrust body said it had decided to fine Lastminute.com, Volagratis.com, Opodo.it, Govolo.it, Edreams.it and Gotogate.it following an investigation prompted by consumer association complaints.

The agency said information provided by the portals was “insufficiently transparent and easy to understand for consumers, hindering the exercise of their rights.” It went on to highlight supplements applied for booking flights with credit cards, premium rates applied for after-sales telephone services and the absence of e-mail addresses for effective communication.

Full Content: Il Salvagente

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