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PayPal Integrates With Selfbook, Transforming Hotel Booking and Payment Efficiency

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

June 9, 2025

Streamlined Booking Begins Within the PayPal App

PayPal has strategically partnered with Selfbook, a leading hotel payment provider, to embed a comprehensive hotel search and booking functionality directly within its app. This move promises to simplify the traditionally fragmented travel payment process by eliminating the need to switch platforms during hotel reservations.

Unified Payment Solutions and Enhanced User Benefits

The integration allows users to navigate to the Offers section within the PayPal app, filtering hotel options by travel dates and guest counts. Beyond a seamless search experience, travelers can pay using PayPal at checkout and even utilize the Buy Now, Pay Later option for select properties, all while benefiting from exclusive discounts tailored to in-app users.

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Expanding Ecosystem and Revenue Streams

For PayPal, this initiative not only broadens its service suite but also capitalizes on a significant trend, with an observed 84% increase in online travel payments via its platform. The partnership further extends to enabling Selfbook to integrate PayPal’s enterprise payment suite for processing credit card transactions, thereby offering hotels a commission-free payment solution that enhances direct guest engagement and improves revenue margins.

Future Innovations in Travel and Technology

Additionally, Selfbook is set to embed its payment checkout products into workflows outside the PayPal app and has recently adopted PayPal as a key payments partner within Perplexity’s AI-driven hotel booking interface. As noted by Khalid Meniri, Selfbook’s co-founder and CEO, this consolidation of the search, booking, and payment processes addresses longstanding industry challenges by streamlining interactions between travelers and hotels, ultimately fostering a more direct and profitable customer relationship.

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Competition Authority Launches Comprehensive Review of ExxonMobil Cyprus Acquisition

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 16, 2025

Investigation Initiated Over Strategic Acquisition

The Competition Protection Authority has commenced a thorough investigation into the acquisition of ExxonMobil Cyprus Limited’s share capital by Petrolina Holdings Public Ltd through Med Energywise Ltd. This inquiry was formally initiated following a session held on 10 September 2025, after an in-depth review of the pertinent report by the Authority’s Service.

Concerns Over Market Compatibility

Authorities have expressed serious concerns regarding the compatibility of the transaction with established competitive practices. The review indicates that the acquisition may affect several critical petroleum markets, both horizontally and vertically, thereby raising the potential for adverse impacts on market dynamics.

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Horizontal Market Dynamics

On the horizontal front, potential effects have been identified in the import market for petroleum products, as well as in both wholesale and retail distribution channels of these products. The consolidation is believed to increase the risk of price rises and coordinated actions, given the direct competitive proximity between Petrolina and ExxonMobil.

Vertical and Adjacent Market Implications

Vertical aspects of the merger are also under close scrutiny. The new entity could restrict competitors’ access to critical infrastructure such as storage facilities, supply channels, and customer bases. These restrictions could further affect the onshore distribution of fuels, the wholesale market for lubricants, and specialized technical services connected with fuel station operations.

Local Market Considerations

Particular attention is being paid to the potential concentration in the retail fuel market. The investigation suggests that a reduced competitive landscape within a four-kilometer radius of the companies’ fuel stations could lead to diminished local competition, adversely impacting consumer prices and options.

Next Steps and Industry Impact

The Competition Protection Authority, which reached a unanimous decision to pursue a full investigation, remains open to submissions from parties that might be affected by this transaction, as mandated by current legislation. A final decision is expected within four months upon receipt of all necessary evidence, potentially setting a significant precedent for future market consolidation cases in the energy sector.