“OYO Hotels and Homes” a leading travel-tech unicorn has found itself in the middle of a controversy following the release of a recent advertisement. The ad featured a tagline stating, “Just as God is omnipresent, so is OYO” which has sparked a wave of criticism on social media platforms.

The Root of the Controversy

The ad aimed to promote religious tourism by highlighting OYO's presence in prominent pilgrimage destinations like Ayodhya, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Ajmer, Amritsar, Shirdi and Ujjain. However the comparison of the brand’s reach to God’s omnipresence did not sit well with a section of the public. Many people accused OYO of hurting religious sentiments leading to a massive online backlash.

Social Media Erupts with #BoycottOYO

Soon after the ad went live, the hashtag “BoycottOYO” started trending on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Users expressed their anger, demanding an apology from the company. The controversy gained momentum with thousands joining the call to boycott the hotel booking platform.

OYO Issues Official Statement

Amid the rising backlash OYO released an official statement clarifying their stance. The company stated,

“Our recent advertisement aimed to encourage religious tourism in India. We never intended to hurt anyone's religious sentiments. OYO respects the diverse religious beliefs and cultural traditions of our country, and we celebrate India's rich spiritual heritage.”

OYO further emphasised that their goal was to promote spiritual journeys by making accommodation easily accessible for pilgrims across India.

Future Plans: Expanding Spiritual Tourism

Despite the controversy, OYO announced its ambitious plans to enhance spiritual tourism. The company revealed its strategy to launch “500 hotels across 12 major pilgrimage sites” by the end of 2025. This initiative aims to provide a seamless experience for travellers seeking spiritual retreats and religious tours.

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New Hotel Booking Rule: No Entry for Unmarried Couples

In addition to the ad controversy, OYO recently introduced a new booking policy. As per the updated rule, ‘only married couples’ are allowed to book hotels through the app, while unmarried couples face restrictions. Guests must present valid documents during check-in to confirm their marital status.

This new policy has been implemented first in ‘Meerut, Uttar Pradesh’ and will gradually extend to other states. OYO mentioned that the expansion of this rule will depend on ‘ground feedback’ and will be introduced in more cities in the coming months.

While OYO's recent ad has sparked nationwide debates, the company remains focused on promoting spiritual tourism and expanding its hotel network. With a clear vision for 2025 and a new booking policy OYO aims to balance its business goals while respecting public sentiments.