Uttar Pradesh: In a strategic move driven by the growing trend of domestic travel and increased interest in spiritual tourism, hospitality tech platform OYO announced its plans to launch 400 properties in major spiritual destinations across India by the end of the year. The chosen locations include Ayodhya, Puri, Shirdi, Varanasi, Amritsar, Tirupati, Haridwar, Katra-Vaishno Devi, and the Char Dham route.
The surge in demand for spiritual tourism is evident from the significant uptick in searches on the OYO platform, with a remarkable 350 percent increase for Ayodhya in the past year. This surge is attributed to the anticipation surrounding the inauguration of the grand Ram Mandir on January 22, 2024.
OYO Founder and Group CEO, Ritesh Agarwal, expressed his excitement about the monumental surge in spiritual tourism in India. The inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya serves as a testament to this trend. He further emphasized the company’s commitment to providing comfortable and affordable accommodation options in these sacred sites.
The planned expansion aligns with OYO’s mission to cater to the evolving preferences of travelers, and the focus on spiritual destinations is a response to the renewed fervor for spiritual journeys. Ayodhya, in particular, has consistently held the top position in searches on the OYO app over the past year, surpassing even popular leisure destinations.
To meet the growing demand in Ayodhya, OYO has introduced 50 homestays, offering approximately 1,000 rooms strategically located near key landmarks for easy access to religious sites and tourist attractions. In collaboration with the Ayodhya Development Authority and Uttar Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation, OYO aims to ensure smooth and timely operations in these locations.
The company’s commitment to enhancing the spiritual tourism experience extends beyond Ayodhya to other destinations like Puri, Shirdi, and Varanasi, where similar excitement and interest have been observed.
As the hospitality industry embraces the evolving preferences of travelers, OYO’s expansion into spiritual destinations not only reflects market trends but also highlights the brand’s adaptability and commitment to providing diverse and enriching travel experiences for its customers.
