New Regulations Being Introduced for Foreign Digital Accommodation Platforms
A legislative proposal regulating the activities of foreign digital accommodation platforms has been approved by the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) Tourism Commission.
A legislative proposal regulating the activities of foreign digital accommodation platforms in Turkey has been approved by the TBMM Tourism Commission, bringing significant changes with it.
Details of the Proposal Approved in the Commission
The new proposal, which determines the principles regarding the domestic activities of foreign digital accommodation platforms in the e-commerce environment, was approved by the TBMM Tourism Commission amidst objections.
Representatives from the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies, the Turkish Hoteliers Association, the Turkish Hoteliers Federation, as well as Booking.com Turkey Regional Manager Bircan Kaan, took part in the consultation processes.
Permit Certificate and Representative Obligation
Harun Mertoğlu, the Rize Member of Parliament and primary signatory of the proposal, stated that the work aims to regulate the free market and that platforms will obtain a permit certificate from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Additionally, platforms were required to appoint a representative in Turkey who is authorized for service of process, is a Turkish citizen, or is in the nature of a capital company.
Tax Liability and Access Ban Condition
As a prerequisite for obtaining the permit certificate, the condition was introduced to actively fulfill the digital services tax liability and pay the tourism share.
It was announced that the permit certificates of platforms that do not make payments will be canceled and their access will be blocked through the Information and Communication Technologies Authority.
Audits and Hotel Ranking Penalties
It was stated that cases where platforms push hotels that do not comply with the rules to lower ranks in search results are tied to heavy administrative fines.
Views of the Ministry and Sector Representatives
Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Nadir Alpaslan stated that platforms will be audited when they act unlawfully or upon consumer and stakeholder complaints.
Booking Turkey Regional Manager Bircan Kaan stated that they support the draft at the highest level and that the regulation will contribute to the country's tourism.