Unmarried Couples not allowed? OYO revises guidelines; relationship proof required for check-in

Hotel booking company OYO has revised the check-in rules for partner hotels and introduced guidelines effective this year stating that unmarried couples can no longer check in, reported PTI on Sunday. The new rule will initially apply in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, according to the news report. 

Are all OYO hotels saying no to unmarried couples?

Under the revised guidelines, all couples making bookings will be required to present valid proof of relationship during check-in. This rule also applies to online bookings.

OYO has given the discretion to partner hotels to accept or decline the bookings on the basis of their judgment, aligning with local social sensibility, PTI reported, quoting a company statement.

The revised policy is part of the travel booking company's initiative to transform outdated perceptions and project itself as a brand providing safe experiences for families, students, business, religious and solo travellers, the report cited OYO. The company said it also aims to promote longer stays and repeated bookings.

For now, OYO has rolled out the implementation in the city of Meerut. Depending on the ground feedback, the company plans to expand it to other cities. 

Blacklisting hotels

OYO has started pan-India initiatives, including joint seminars on safe hospitality involving partner hotels and police. Through this initiative, it is blacklisting hotels that are allegedly promoting immoral activities and taking action against unauthorised hotels using OYO branding, it added.

This guideline will immediately affect OYO's partner hotels in Meerut. Based on the ground feedback, the company will plan to expand the policy to more cities, the report said, citing people aware of the policy.

They 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.”

“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,” Pawas Sharma, Region Head, OYO North India, told PTI.