OYO Revises Room Policy for Unmarried Couples in Meerut

OYO resurrects its ‘no room for unmarried couples’ policy, conditions apply

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Mohammed Rayees 5 Jan 2025 5:49 PM

News in short:

OYO Rooms has revised its policy on unmarried couples checking into hotels. Effective immediately in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, all couples, regardless of marital status, must provide proof of their relationship upon check-in. This policy change comes after feedback from civil society groups in Meerut who objected to OYO's previous policy that allowed unmarried couples to book rooms. OYO claims this move is part of a larger effort to rebrand itself as a safe and responsible hospitality provider. They have also launched initiatives like joint seminars with hotels and police on safe hospitality, and are cracking down on unauthorized properties and hotels promoting immoral activities. While the policy is currently only in effect in Meerut, OYO has not ruled out expanding it to other cities in the future. The company emphasizes its commitment to listening to local communities and ensuring safe experiences for all travelers, regardless of their relationship status.

Hyderabad: OYO Rooms, a hotel aggregator, has now revised its 2016 guideline which allowed unmarried couples to book rooms in its properties. According to the revised guidelines, all couples who wish to book a hotel room will be required to furnish a valid document confirming their relationship during check-in.

Currently, this new rule will be implemented only in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh and will be applicable only to online bookings in their properties. However, the OYO’s partner hotels will have the liberty to accept or decline the bookings made by unmarried couples aligning with local social sensibility, PTI reported, quoting the OYO company statement.
According to the news agency report, the revised guidelines will immediately affect OYO’s partner hotels in Meerut city. It is reported that the hotel aggregator may expand the policy to more cities.

The company appears to have revised its guidelines following a feedback from civil society groups in Meerut against allowing unmarried couples to check-in at OYO hotels.

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As the travel booking company struggles to shed its perceived image, the latest guideline is being seen as the company’s attempt to project itself as a brand providing safe experiences for families, students, business, religious and solo travellers.

Stepping up its rebranding campaign, OYO has launched several pan-India initiatives, including joint seminars on safe hospitality involving partner hotels and police. The hotel aggregator is not shying away from blacklisting partner hotels which are found allegedly promoting immoral activities and also launched a crackdown against unauthorized properties who are using OYO branding to run their business.

“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,” PTI quoted Pawas Sharma, OYO North India, as saying.

𝐎𝐘𝐎 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤-𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐬: 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐝

OYO has introduced new guidelines for partner hotels, stating that unmarried couples can no longer check in. Effective this year, all couples must present valid proof of… pic.twitter.com/axHfzHBgku

— Hyderabad Mail (@Hyderabad_Mail) January 5, 2025