"When rival businesses share competitively sensitive information, including through a third-party data analytics provider, this reduces the uncertainty competing businesses normally have about how each other will act. This can affect how strongly companies compete because it makes it easier for them to predict what each other will do and coordinate their behaviour."
"Hotel chains routinely use analytics platforms such as STR to track industry metrics including occupancy rates, average daily room prices and revenue per available room (RevPAR). Such tools can help operators adjust pricing in response to demand and competition."
"Together, the three hotel groups operate more than 25,000 hotels globally, giving the probe significant weight in the international hospitality sector."
The UK Competition and Markets Authority has initiated a formal investigation into three major hotel groups—Hilton, InterContinental Hotels Group, and Marriott International—over concerns they may have shared competitively sensitive information through STR, a widely used industry benchmarking tool owned by CoStar Group. These three operators collectively manage over 25,000 hotels globally. Hotel chains commonly use analytics platforms like STR to monitor industry metrics including occupancy rates, average daily room prices, and revenue per available room. The CMA warns that when rival businesses share competitively sensitive information, even indirectly through third-party providers, it may reduce competitive uncertainty and facilitate coordinated behavior. The investigation will take up to six months to gather evidence before determining whether to issue formal objections.
Read at Business Matters
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]