OYO Rooms also known as OYO Hotels & Homes is an Indian multinational hospitality chain of leased and franchised hotels, homes and living spaces. It was founded in 2012 by Ritesh Agarwal. It initially consisted mainly of budget hotels. As of January 2020, it has more than 43,000 properties and 1 million rooms across 800 cities in 80 countries.
Recently, OYO has introduced a new check-in policy for partner hotels according to which unmarried couples will no longer be allowed to check in. This new check-in policy will become effective in Meerut.
According to Region Head, OYO North India, Pawas Sharma, this new guideline aims to change its outdated perceptions and project OYO as a brand that is capable of providing a safe experience for families, students, business, religious and solo travellers.
The company said, “OYO has received feedback in the past from civil society groups, especially in Meerut urging action to address this issue. Additionally, residents from few other cities have petitioned for disallowing unmarried couples to check-in at OYO hotels.”
Pawas Sharma, Region Head, OYO North India said, “OYO is committed to upholding safe and responsible hospitality practices. While we respect individual freedoms and personal liberty, we also recognise our responsibility to listen to and work with the law enforcement and civil society groups in the micro markets we operate in. We will continue to review this policy and its impact periodically.”
Additionally, OYO has taken several nationwide initiatives like hosting joint seminars with the police and hotel partners on safe hospitality practices. It has blacklisted hotels that were involved in promoting immoral activities.
In 2012, Ritesh Agarwal had launched Oravel Stays as a budget accommodation listing and booking website which was later renamed to OYO in 2013. In 2019, OYO had more than 17,000 employees globally of which almost 8,000 were in India and South Asia. The company set up 26 training institutes for hospitality enthusiasts all across India in 2019.