Published at: www.reuters.com
An Online Travel Agency (OTA) Litigation Squeeze Play
June 2, 2009
A recent King County summary judgement against Expedia (NASDAQ:EXPE), reportedly the largest consumer class action suit in Washington State history, creates a new front in the growing litigation battles facing the Online Travel Agency (OTA) community. Expedia competitors Priceline (NASDAQ:PCLN), Orbitz (NYSE:OWW), and privately held Sabre’s Travelocity potentially risk facing similar claims, although their exposure is somewhat limited relative to Expedia due to lower hotel sales volume and merchant model transaction ratios.