Istanbul — The Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB) filed a lawsuit in January 2026 seeking to block access to 10 global booking and experiences platforms, accusing them of operating illegally within Türkiye and engaging in unfair competition and tax evasion.
The platforms named in the suit are Airbnb, Expedia, Agoda, Trip.com, Hotels.com, GetYourGuide, Viator, Isango, ToursByLocals and Musement. In a statement, TÜRSAB labelled the companies "informal operators" and argued they deprive consumers of legal protection.
The lawsuit arrives as Türkiye contends with high inflation and surging travel costs. Industry critics warn that restricting global platforms could limit price transparency and reduce lower-cost options, particularly for domestic travellers.
Tourism remains a critical pillar of the Turkish economy, with revenues surpassing $50 billion in the first nine months of 2025, according to government data.
The action follows a precedent set in 2018, when a similar legal challenge by TÜRSAB resulted in a ban on Booking.com's operations in Turkey — a measure that remains in force. The current lawsuit reflects a broader trend of Turkish authorities tightening control over foreign digital entities operating in the country.
Why it matters
For tour operators, bedbanks and DMCs active in the Turkish market, the case reopens questions about distribution channel stability that first surfaced with the Booking.com ban. If the courts grant the access block, the ten named platforms — which collectively cover accommodation, activities and experiences — would be unavailable to consumers booking directly within Turkey, potentially concentrating demand through TÜRSAB-affiliated agencies and locally licensed operators. The 2018 Booking.com precedent demonstrates that such rulings can become permanent, making the outcome a material consideration for any distribution strategy centred on the Turkish inbound or domestic market.