KOCHI:
OYO Hotels and Homes, India’s largest hotel chain, operating over 400 leased and franchised hotels in Kerala has today announced its expansion plans for the state and also stated how it will be taking legal action against any person/groups who try to cause disruption of business and inconvenience to both customers and asset owners.
Responding strongly to claims by vested interest groups and hotels, some of which are not even a part of the OYO hotel chain, the company has come out strongly in favour of customers across Kerala and the country and assured that there will be no cancellations of bookings and that every customer will continue to get the signature OYO experience.
Currently, OYO has over 6,900+ exclusive rooms, 400+ hotels in 10+ cities in Kerala and is set to double its presence and take the count of rooms to 10,000+ by the end of 2019. Since its launch in Kerala in July 2015, OYO has hosted thousands of guests at its hotels while ensuring higher yields for 400+ asset owners. OYO’s operations in the state are supported by 250+ full-time employees called OYOpreneurs.
Ayush Mathur, Chief Supply Officer, India & South Asia at OYO Hotels and Homes said, “Most of the boycott claims are being made by small vested interest groups with no property franchised with or leased to OYO Hotels. As franchisors, we continue to engage with our franchisee hotel owners on a one- to-one basis to resolve issues and in case we don’t reach a mutually acceptable solution, part ways amicably. While we work towards addressing such issues, our primary focus is to ensure that the consumer at all times has access to affordable, reliable and good quality accommodations. However, some such individuals have also been threatening to cancel agreements and not accept online bookings, which will be a default of the contractual arrangements, and will lead to legal liabilities on these individuals as we cannot and will not let anyone hamper the customer experience. We will take strict
legal action.”
In this context, it may be noted that OYO had recently received an injunction from the High Court of Delhi that prevents individuals and vested interest groups from disrupting business operations of OYO Hotels and assures full support of the law in providing the freedom to OYO Hotels to conduct business as usual. Overall In India so far, OYO has already created over 100,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities and spurred micro, small & medium scale entrepreneurs through its hospitality business spread across 260+ cities, 9000+ buildings (hotels and homes) and 176,000+ rooms. The company further announced today, that it aims to double the economic opportunities generated in the state by 2020.
Commenting on the commitment to Kerala, Aditya Ghosh, CEO – India & South Asia, OYO Hotels & Homes said, “We are focused on enabling economic opportunities at every level and are committed to generating gainful employment and entrepreneurship through our growing network of OYO Hotels and Homes in India. We are excited to note that over half of the 100,000 jobs created by us were in smaller towns and cities of India. As we grow at scale, so does the possibility of an entrepreneurial ecosystem of direct and indirect employment. We, therefore, aim to double economic opportunities created by 2020.”
Already one of the largest purchasers of linen, toiletries and essential hotel supplies in India, OYO is also helping empower multiple ancillary industries in the hospitality ecosystem by leveraging scale to make bulk procurements that are supporting local businesses. Every month, OYO utilizes over 40 lakh toiletry kits across the 176,000 exclusive rooms which are a part of its chain while procuring 40,000 units of linen.
George Majooran, an asset owner from Kochi said, “I am a full-time doctor practising in the UK with zero background in the hotel industry. We found a property, invested in it but were unable to turn it into a viable business. We knew we had a good asset and great location but no expertise in marketing and customer relationship management. With OYO, we knew both these factors will be taken care of. Since we have been working with OYO, we have witnessed an occupancy of more than 95%. OYO’s technology is helping me be involved in the business as I am able to monitor day to day activities via the Owner app even while settled in the UK.”
Hariharan, Front office executive said, “I came from a small town in Kerala looking for an opportunity to showcase my talent and potential. With limited educational qualifications (Class XII), I am glad that OYO offered me an opportunity to work in the front desk of its hotel in Thiruvananthapuram after undergoing skill training at one of the OYO Skill Institutes. I am now able to earn and support myself financially and look forward to a long-term career at OYO.”
Sunitha, Guest Relations Executive said “It was a struggle for me to get a decent job despite having a degree in hotel management. I am currently working at an OYO hotel in Munnar and earning a decent income to support myself and my family. I realize that my role has a direct impact on the perception of guests towards OYO and a compliment from the guests makes my day! I am looking forward to working my way up at OYO and achieve my goals.”
Separately, the 1200+ member strong transformation team of civil engineers, interior decorators, designers and fabricators employs local masons, artisans and construction workers at the city level while renovating and upgrading hotels to OYO standards, creating additional local employment opportunities for the informal sector of the economy and enabling financial inclusion through bank transfers where possible.
Additionally, the company has set up 22 OYO Skill Institutes in India for training frontline staff in every aspect of hotel management in India. The Institutes add to skill building as well as ensure that the thousands of young people who are entering the formal workforce in the country have access to opportunities for growth in the tourism and hospitality sector. OYO works actively with asset owners to tap into the local talent pool, ensures hotel staff is groomed and well trained, get professional growth opportunities. OYO is also working with multiple states and taking part in the state organized job fairs.
