Oyo, the budget hospitality chain, announced on Monday its ambitious plan to unveil 400 new properties in major spiritual hotspots across the country. This expansion is propelled by the upswing in domestic travel and a burgeoning interest in spiritual tourism.
Oyo said it is set to launch 400 properties in popular destinations such as Ayodhya, Puri, Shirdi, Varanasi, Amritsar, Tirupati, Haridwar, Katra-Vaishno Devi, and the Char Dham route by the end of this year.
This move is in response to a 350% increase in searches for Ayodhya on the Oyo platform over the past year, prompted by the upcoming opening of the Ram Mandir on January 22, as stated by the company.
Oyo said that Ayodhya has consistently held the top position in searches on the Oyo app over the past year. On New Year’s Eve, the city experienced a 70% surge in Oyo app users, surpassing popular leisure destinations such as Goa at 50% and Nainital at 60%.
Last year, the company announced the launch of 50 homestays in Ayodhya to accommodate the increasing number of pilgrims, providing a total of around 1,000 rooms.
Oyo mentioned that these properties are strategically positioned near significant landmarks, ensuring convenient access to prominent religious sites and tourist attractions.
Oyo stated that it anticipates a swift sell-out of these rooms, given the substantial increase in demand for the destination.
Oyo has collaborated with the Ayodhya Development Authority and the Uttar Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation for the establishment of these homestays.
Ritesh Agarwal, the founder and group CEO of Oyo, remarked that spiritual tourism in India is on the verge of experiencing a significant surge, positioning itself as one of the most substantial growth drivers for the industry in the next five years.
“The opening of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya stands as a testament to this, and witnessing the excitement firsthand as I join in the grand ceremony will be truly humbling. This renewed fervour for spiritual journeys extends far beyond Ayodhya, with destinations like Puri, Shirdi, and Varanasi experiencing similar excitement,” he said.
“By offering comfortable and affordable accommodation options across these sacred sites, we aim to ensure every spiritual journey finds a welcoming haven, allowing pilgrims to fully immerse themselves in the transformative power of religion and spirituality,” he added.
Continue Exploring: Ayodhya’s hotel industry booms: Investors pour INR 420 Crore into hospitality projects as Ram Temple spurs tourism growth
