The Ministry of Tourism and Youth of the Republic of Serbia faces challenges in overseeing the operations of the Booking.com platform, which advertises accommodation without the required registration in the Central Information System for Guest Registration—eTurista, mandatory under the Hospitality Law (“Official Gazette of RS,” No. 17/2019, the “Law”).
The Ministry conducts inspections under the Law through its tourism inspectors, who initiate proceedings against entities in accordance with the Law on Inspection (“Official Gazette of RS,” Nos. 36/2015, 44/2018, and 95/2018), issuing administrative measures such as activity prohibitions and penal measures via requests for misdemeanor proceedings. However, the inspection lacks jurisdiction over Booking.com, as the company is not registered in Serbia and has its headquarters in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
The issue of unregistered entities operating through online platforms is recognized across the European Union. In response, the European Parliament and EU Council enacted the Regulation on the Collection and Exchange of Data on Short-Term Accommodation Rentals, effective May 20, 2026. The Regulation mandates registration and the issuance of unique identification numbers for service providers, establishing a framework for required data sharing between online platforms and state authorities to safeguard market interests and ensure legal compliance in operations.