OYO has launched a new check-in policy for its partner hotels, starting in Meerut from today. According to the new policy, couples will be required to produce valid evidence of their relationship at the time of check-in, even in cases of online bookings. According to the company, the partner hotels have been allowed to deny couple bookings according to their judgment and local sensibilities.
The new policy is being implemented in Meerut first, but its expansion to other cities depends on the response it gets. “OYO has received previous feedback from civil society groups, particularly in Meerut, where they asked to take action on this issue,” said people aware of the change. Residents from other cities have also protested and filed grievances against unmarried couples’ check-in at OYO properties.
Pawas Sharma, OYO’s region head for North India maintained that they are committed to maintaining responsible hospitality. “OYO is committed to safety and responsible hospitality. We respect individual freedoms but do not shy away from listening to law enforcement and civil society groups in our operating micro-markets. We will revisit this policy and its impact periodically,” Sharma said to PTI.
The campaign is to redefine the brand’s outdated perception, portraying OYO as a safe and reliable option for families, students, solo travelers, business professionals, and religious tourists. The program also focuses on building customer trust, encouraging longer stays, and increasing repeat bookings.
OYO has initiated a nationwide level programs that involve coordination seminars on safe hospitality with the police along with hotel partners, blacklisting of hotels related to immoral activities, and cracking down against unauthorized hotels misusing the brand name of OYO.
Even though Indian law does not restrict unmarried couples from staying in hotels, hotel owners or managers are the one who decides if they can stay. This reflects the effort that OYO puts into aligning its services according to societal expectations in specific regions.
