OYO to open 400 new properties in country's spiritual hotspots

Spiritual Tourism: home-grown hospitality chain OYO Hotels and Homes on January 15 announced expansion plans in major spiritual hotspots across country, fuelled by surge in interest towards spiritual tourism in le upto Ram Temple inauguration in Ayodhya, UP.

Ritesh Agarwal led OYO is gearing up to introduce 400 properties in popular domestic destinations like Ayodhya, Puri, Shirdi, Varanasi, Amritsar, Tirupati, and in Char Dham route by latter-half of 2024, according to company's official release.

move comes in response to a staggering 350 per cent increase in searches for Ayodhya on OYO platform over past year, driven by Ram Mandir's opening on January 22 this year.

Ritesh Agarwal, Founder and Group CEO of OYO, said, "Spiritual tourism in India is on precipice of a monumental surge, poised to be one of biggest growth drivers of our industry in coming five years. opening of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya stands as a testament to this."

“With over 3 lakh visitors expected daily, biggest destination for spiritual travel in India (and soon world), Ayodhya stands as a bright spot in India’s spiritual tourism ecosystem,” he said on Monday.

Ayodhya has consistently held top position in searches on OYO app during 2023, it said.

On December 31 in 2023, birthplace of Lord Ram saw a 70 per cent surge in OYO app users, surpassing leisure destinations like Goa at 50 per cent and Nainital at 60 per cent.

To cater to influx of pilgrims in Ayodhya, OYO has also launched 50 home-stays, offering close to 1,000 rooms.

se properties are strategically situated near key landmarks to provide access to prominent religious sites and tourist attractions, company said.

"This renewed fervour for spiritual journeys extends far beyond Ayodhya, with destinations like Puri, Shirdi, and Varanasi experiencing similar excitement," he said.

To ensure timely operations, hospitality firm has also entered into a partnership with Ayodhya Development Authority and Uttar Presh State Tourism Development Corporation.

Ayodhya Visit 

As per latest update, Ritesh Agarwal, CEO and Founder of OYO Hotels and Homes, has been invited to attend grand consecration of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on January 22. 

I am humbled by invitation to attend this momentous occasion. consecration ceremony on January 22nd represents opening of a new chapter in India's spiritual legacy.

As someone raised on stories of Ayodhya's cultural significance, this is a matter of personal pride… pic.twitter.com/9b5AaOty8N

— Ritesh Agarwal (@riteshagar)

 
“I am humbled by invitation to attend this momentous occasion. consecration ceremony on January 22nd represents opening of a new chapter in India's spiritual legacy,” Ritesh Agarwal tweeted on X.

“As someone raised on stories of Ayodhya's cultural significance, this is a matter of personal pride and honour,”

From expansion point of view, Agarwal mentioned that, “ Uttar Presh government's progressive policies and infrastructure development has created an environment for tourism and business to flourish in state.”

" booming opportunity and entrepreneurship has enabled OYO to establish a strong presence in Ayodhya, with over 50 properties to choose from," he said.