10 rules, particularly if they reach the threshold to be considered a very large online platform. This will be welcomed by the local authorities in the areas most burdened by mass tourism. Nevertheless, both regulations introduce horizontal rules applying to all types of online platforms with a significant market power, regardless of the nature of their particular services. If these rules turn out to be too general to address the specific concerns relating to online booking services, we can expect the European Commission’s initiative to introduce additional sectoral rules. The Commission’s 2021 initiative on short-term accommodation rental services,44 for instance, aims to create a regulation ensuring a level playing field for all accommodation service providers. This should involve offering balanced solutions for cities, peer and professional short-term rental providers and platforms, while benefiting small and medium-sized firms. It seems, therefore, that the story on the regulation of online accommodation booking services has only just begun. 44 Ref. Ares(2021)5673365 – 16. 9. 2021.
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