Turkish Travel Group Sues To Block Foreign Portals, Including Airbnb
A Turkish travel association filed a lawsuit to block access to 10 global booking platforms, including Airbnb and Expedia, accusing them of operating illegally within the country, the group said on Tuesday.
The lawsuit, filed by the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB), targets Airbnb, Expedia, Agoda, Trip.com, Hotels.com, GetYourGuide, Viator, Isango, ToursByLocals and Musement.
TÜRSAB accuses these platforms of unfair competition, tax evasion and depriving consumers of legal protection.
In a statement seen by dpa, the association labelled the companies as "informal operators."
The move comes as Turkey grapples with high inflation and therefore surging travel costs. Restricting global platforms could limit price transparency and lower-cost options, particularly for domestic travelers, industry critics warn.
Tourism remains a critical pillar of the Turkish economy, surpassing $50 billion in the first nine months of 2025, according to government data.
The lawsuit reflects a broader trend of Turkish authorities tightening control over foreign digital entities.
In 2018, a similar legal challenge by TÜRSAB led to a ban on Booking.com’s operations in Turkey, a measure that remains to date.