Sun Jan 05 14:31:15 UTC 2025: ## OYO Implements New Policy Restricting Unmarried Couples in Hotels
**Meerut, India (January 5, 2025)** – Hospitality giant OYO has implemented a new check-in policy in Meerut, India, that allows partner hotels to refuse bookings from unmarried couples. The policy, which may soon expand to other cities, grants hotels the discretion to decline couples based on “regional and social sensibilities.”
Previously, OYO partner hotels were prohibited from denying accommodation to couples regardless of marital status. The shift follows pressure from local civil society groups and residents in Meerut who voiced concerns about unmarried couples staying in OYO hotels.
To comply with the new policy, guests in hotels choosing to implement the restriction must provide valid identification proving their relationship. This applies to both online and in-person bookings.
OYO’s Regional Head for North India, Pawas Sharma, stated that while the company respects individual freedoms, it also acknowledges its responsibility to work with local authorities and community groups. Sharma indicated the policy’s impact will be regularly reviewed.
The new policy has sparked debate about the balance between individual rights and local customs, particularly among young travelers who frequently rely on OYO for budget-friendly accommodation.
First Piper 