OYO Hotels has announced a new check-in policy, causing a stir in Meerut, India. The policy allows partner hotels in the city to deny room bookings to unmarried couples. This decision follows feedback from local civil society groups and aims to address safety and hospitality concerns. While the policy is currently limited to Meerut, there is potential for its extension to other locations depending on public response.
The policy announcement came from Pawas Sharma, OYO's regional head for North India. He emphasized that the directive is not intended as a moral judgment against unmarried couples but as a measure to ensure safe and responsible hospitality practices. The feedback from civil society groups in Meerut prompted the company to reconsider its previous practices and implement changes aligned with local concerns.
“OYO is committed to upholding safe and responsible hospitality practices.” – Pawas Sharma
Despite the policy's introduction, it is not a blanket ban on unmarried couples. Instead, it provides discretion to partner hotels in Meerut to enforce this directive based on their own assessment of safety and responsibility. OYO is keen to stress that the policy remains specific to Meerut and may not necessarily apply to other locations unless deemed necessary by public feedback.
Sharma acknowledged the importance of respecting local sentiments while maintaining OYO's standards of service. The feedback from Meerut's civil society indicated a preference for more stringent measures to ensure guest safety and community standards, leading to the formulation of this policy.
OYO plans to monitor the response closely and may review or adjust the policy based on feedback from guests and partners. The company underscores that its primary goal is to align with community expectations while ensuring that their practices do not compromise hospitality standards.
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