OYO bans hotel rooms for unmarried couples

OYO, one of India's leading travel booking platforms, has announced a new check-in policy that excludes unmarried couples from booking rooms at its partner hotels. The policy, which is set to begin in Meerut, mandates that all couples—whether they book online or in person—must present valid proof of relationship during check-in.

Partner hotels will have the discretion to reject bookings based on their assessment, taking into account local social sensibilities. OYO has directed its Meerut partner hotels to implement this policy immediately. The company may extend it to other cities based on feedback from the region.

This move follows complaints from local civil society groups in Meerut and petitions from residents in other cities who have raised concerns about unmarried couples checking in at OYO properties. Pawas Sharma, OYO's North India Region Head, stated, "While we respect individual freedoms and liberties, we must also recognize our responsibility to collaborate with law enforcement and civil society groups in the areas we operate."