OYO, a leading travel and hotel booking platform in India, has announced a significant policy change for its partner hotels.
The new guidelines, introduced on Sunday, stipulate that unmarried couples will no longer be permitted to check in at properties in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh.
“We are committed to upholding safe and responsible hospitality practices. While respecting personal freedoms, we must also collaborate with local communities and law enforcement to ensure a harmonious operating environment,” said Pawas Sharma, Region Head for OYO North India.
According to India Today, under the revised policy, married couples must now provide valid proof of their relationship during check-in, even for online bookings.
Meanwhile, hotel partners have been granted the discretion to deny accommodation to unmarried couples based on prevailing local social norms.
The decision comes in response to repeated appeals from civil society groups in Meerut, who have called for stricter regulations regarding stays by unmarried couples.
Similar petitions have been lodged in other cities, prompting OYO to pilot the policy in Meerut before considering its implementation elsewhere.
OYO stated that the move is part of a broader initiative aimed at addressing community feedback and enhancing its reputation as a trusted accommodation provider for families, business travellers, students, religious pilgrims, and solo travellers.
In addition to the policy change, the company has introduced several nationwide measures to promote safe hospitality practices. These include hosting seminars with police and hotel partners, blacklisting hotels involved in activities deemed immoral, and cracking down on unauthorised establishments misusing the OYO brand.
