CMA Investigates Hotel Data Sharing for Competition Law Infringement

UK CMA Cases

Filed March 2nd, 2026

Detected March 2nd, 2026

Summary

The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has opened an investigation into suspected anti-competitive information sharing among hotel providers via a data services provider. The investigation, which commenced on March 2, 2026, involves major hotel chains including CoStar, Hilton, IHG, and Marriott.

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What changed

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched an investigation into potential infringements of Chapter I of the Competition Act 1998. The probe focuses on the suspected sharing of competitively sensitive information among competing hotel providers, facilitated by a hotel data services provider. Businesses under investigation include CoStar, Hilton, IHG, and Marriott. The CMA has not yet determined if there is sufficient evidence to issue a statement of objections, and no assumptions should be made about infringement at this stage.

Regulated entities, particularly those in the hotel sector, should be aware of their duty to preserve relevant documents and information that could be pertinent to the CMA's investigation, as failure to comply can result in fines. While no specific compliance deadline is set for the investigation itself, the initial information gathering phase is scheduled from February 2026 to August 2026. The CMA may impose penalties for non-compliance with document preservation duties.

What to do next

Preserve all documents and information potentially relevant to the CMA investigation.
Review internal data sharing practices for potential competition law infringements.

Penalties

The CMA may fine individuals or entities for failing to preserve relevant documents without reasonable excuse.

Source document (simplified)

Suspected anti-competitive conduct in relation to hotel accommodation services

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is investigating the suspected sharing of competitively sensitive information among competing hotel providers, via a hotel data services provider, which may infringe Chapter I of the Competition Act 1998.

From: Competition and Markets Authority Published 2 March 2026 Case type: CA98 and civil cartels Case state: Open Market sector: Recreation and leisure Opened: 2 March 2026

Administrative timetable

| Date | Action |
| --- | --- |
| February 2026 to August 2026 | Initial investigation: information gathering |
| February 2026 | Investigation opened |

Case information

On 24 February 2026, the CMA launched an investigation under the Competition Act 1998 (CA98) into suspected infringements of the Chapter I prohibition of the CA98.

The investigation concerns the suspected sharing of competitively sensitive information among competing hotel providers via a hotel data services provider.

Press release: CMA launches investigation into hotel chains
The businesses under investigation are:
CoStar, including CoStar UK Limited and its ultimate parent company CoStar Group, Inc.
Hilton, including Hilton Worldwide Limited and its ultimate parent company Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.
IHG, including InterContinental Hotels Group Plc
Marriott, including Marriott Hotels Limited and its ultimate parent company Marriott International, Inc.
The CMA has not reached a view as to whether there is sufficient evidence of an infringement of competition law for it to issue a statement of objections to any party or parties. Not all cases result in the CMA issuing a statement of objections and no assumption should be made at this stage that the CA98 has been infringed.

If the CMA ultimately proceeds to issuing a statement of objections, it will provide the addressee(s) of that statement of objections with an opportunity to make written and oral representations, before it makes a final decision on whether the law has been broken. Further detail on the CMA’s procedures in CA98 cases is available in our CMA8 guidance.

Duty to preserve relevant documents

Section 25B of the CA98 imposes a duty on anyone who knows or suspects that the CMA is carrying out, or is likely to carry out, an investigation under the CA98 to preserve relevant documents and information. Such a person must not falsify, conceal, destroy or otherwise dispose of a document which the person knows or suspects is or would be relevant to the investigation (or cause or permit this to be done). The CMA may fine the person if they fail to comply with this duty, without reasonable excuse.

Personal data

The CMA may collect, use and share personal data for its investigations, including investigations under the CA98. This includes processing personal data for the purposes of the UK General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018.

You can find more information about how the CMA handles personal information in the CMA’s personal information charter.

Contacts

Project Director, Tamara Todorovic, tamara.todorovic@cma.gov.uk
Assistant Director, Eren Kilich, eren.killich@cma.gov.uk
Senior Responsible Officer, Lucilia Falsarella Pereira, lucilia.falsarellapereira@cma.gov.uk Any media enquiries should be directed to our Press Office: 020 3738 6460, press@cma.gov.uk