Hotel industry slams Orbitz-Expedia deal

The hotel industry is objecting to the acquisition of Orbitz by one-time rival Expedia, saying that it would lead to higher prices for vacationers and larger fees for hotel owners, Associated Press reported.
Expedia early this year said it would buy Orbitz for US$1.3 billion. It had hoped to complete the acquisition in the second half of this year, but the proposed buyout is still under review by the Justice Department.
The hotel trade group said Thursday that the deal would ?severely reduce consumer choice.? It also noted that Expedia charges hotels, on average, 11 percent higher commissions than Orbitz.