11.08.2026 23:21
A bill that would pave the way for Booking, which has been blocked in Turkey for about 9 years, to resume operations has been submitted to the Speaker of the Parliament. If the bill is accepted, foreign digital accommodation platforms will be able to operate in Turkey with a permit from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
The bill that will pave the way for the digital accommodation application Booking, which has been under an access ban for 9 years, to resume operations has been submitted to the Speaker of the Parliament.
PERMIT REQUIREMENT COMING
According to the bill submitted by the AK Party, such digital accommodation platforms will be required to obtain a permit from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. According to the bill, foreign platforms currently operating will be required to obtain a permit within 3 months after the law enters into force.
Foreign digital accommodation platforms will be able to directly carry out the electronic commerce of tourism-certified accommodation facilities and tourism-purpose rented housing with ministry permits, as well as electronic airline ticket sales.
CERTIFICATE FEE IS 5 MILLION TL
With the regulation, the permit fee to be paid by businesses is set at 5 million lira and will be increased annually at the revaluation rate. The certificate, valid for 2 years, cannot be transferred.
PLATFORMS WILL PAY TOURISM SHARE
In disputes arising from activities within the scope of the permit, Turkish law will apply exclusively and Turkish courts will be authorized. Foreign digital accommodation platforms will pay a tourism share of 0.075% to the Turkish Tourism Promotion and Development Agency.
The amount to be collected by foreign digital accommodation platforms on the sale price of the service, under any name whatsoever, cannot exceed 17%. The amount collected by foreign digital accommodation platforms on the sale price of the service will be calculated on the amount excluding value added tax.
MINISTRY CERTIFICATE NUMBERS WILL BE PUBLISHED IN LISTINGS
Platforms are obliged to verify the ministry certificate numbers of accommodation facilities and tourism-purpose rented housing in their systems and publish them in listings.
The bill also determines the obligations of foreign digital accommodation platforms. Accordingly, foreign digital accommodation platforms cannot operate outside the scope of the permit and cannot carry out the sale and marketing of other products. They will have to carry out their activities within the scope of the permit only through the e-commerce environment they will use for these activities.
The regulation will come to the agenda after the Parliament opens on October 1.