OYO, A HOSPITALITY technology company, is providing accommodation for approximately 150 differently-abled artisans and entrepreneurs participating in the
ongoing Divya Kala Mela across India. The company identified more than 200 hotels in different cities, including Varanasi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Patna,
Surat, Nagpur, Ahmedabad, and Shimla. The selection of hotels is based on specific parameters, such as ramp and lift facilities mandated by the authorities, Oyo
said in a statement.
OYO recently collaborated with Khelo India Para Games 2023 in Delhi, offering accommodation to over 1500 participants in 45 hotels across the city, the statement
added. Additionally, as part of its broader role as an event management agency, OYO handled catering and coordination for the games. Dedicated teams were deployed
in various shifts to provide round-the-clock assistance to all participants.
The Indian state of Uttar Pradesh eyes investments of more than $3.9 billion (Rs 32,000 crore) in the hospitality and tourism sector, according to a report
published in Business Standard. The investment could create an additional 80,000 accommodation units through hotels and resorts, addressing the room availability
deficit.
Religious tourism surged post the consecration of the Lord Ram temple in Ayodhya on Jan. 22. Uttar Pradesh anticipates an annual tourist footfall of 850 million
by 2028, emphasizing the expansion of hospitality units in tourism hubs like Varanasi, Ayodhya, Prayagraj, and Agra, Business Standard daily reported.
"To cater to this increasing demand, the state is looking to create a robust supply of accommodation units with the development of hotels, resorts, and homestays,"
a government official was quoted as saying in the report.
SOUTH INDIAN CITY Hyderabad topped the list of most-booked cities in India for 2024, according to a recent study by OYO. Religious tourism remains strong,
with Puri, Varanasi, and Haridwar as key spiritual destinations, drawing large numbers of pilgrims.
OYO's annual "Travelopedia 2024" report analyzes travel trends using its booking data.
"2024 has marked a year of transformation in global travel," said Shreerang Godbole, OYO's global chief service officer. "Travellers are embracing flexibility,
whether for business or leisure. Remote work trends are driving demand for both quick getaways and long stays."
Hyderabad led bookings, with growth in both leisure and business travel, followed by Bengaluru, Delhi, and Kolkata, the study found. Uttar Pradesh remains India's
top travel state, with Maharashtra, Telangana, and Karnataka also showing strong booking volumes. Smaller towns like Patna, Rajahmundry, and Hubli saw up to
48 percent year-on-year booking growth, indicating rising interest in non-metro destinations.