OYO to double hotel count in Odisha by end of next year

SoftBank-backed hotel chain OYO aims to double its hotel count in Odisha to over 400 from 190 by the end of 2019.

It targets to add 4,000 exclusive rooms to its chain in the state over the next year. Currently, the chain includes more than 3,300 franchised and leased rooms in 190 plus hotels. The hotel-room aggregator plans to create 6,000 direct and indirect job opportunities in the next five years in the state.

Currently, OYO has a strong presence in Odisha, with a presence in cities such as Bhubaneswar, Puri, Cuttack, Rourkela and Jharsugda.

It has recently signed a memorandum of understanding ( MoU) with state-run Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC), ahead of the 2018 Men's Hockey World Cup in Bhubaneswar. “This MoU is an extension to OYO's commitment to Odisha, where it will onboard more hotels and home-stays to accommodate the visitors during the world cup,” the company said.

Commenting on the plans, Ritesh Agarwal, founder and chief executive officer, OYO, said, “Odisha is at the cusp of emerging as the most preferred choice for investors, entrepreneurs and tourists alike. The government has introduced progressive tourism policies, and the sector is also among the focus sectors for Odisha. We are glad to contribute.”

He added: "Since our launch in Odisha in August 2015, we have partnered with small and independent hotel owners. We've utilised our deep expertise to standardise amenities and guest experiences to empower them as better hospitality players. In the coming year, we aim to strengthen these partnerships and support Odisha's vision.”