Mon Jan 06 12:11:27 UTC 2025: **Oyo Hotels to Implement Ban on Unmarried Couples in India**
**Meerut, India** – Oyo, a major travel and hospitality platform, announced a new policy that will prohibit unmarried couples from checking into its hotels. The policy, which will be implemented starting in Meerut, requires all couples to provide proof of their relationship before booking or checking in to any Oyo-affiliated hotel in the city.
The company stated that this decision follows requests from local residents and civil society groups concerned about unmarried couples staying in hotels. While there are no specific laws in India preventing unmarried adults from booking hotels, Oyo’s new policy mandates proof of marriage (marriage certificate, etc.) alongside standard identification documents (Aadhaar card, passport, driving license) for all couples.
Oyo plans to expand this policy to other cities based on the feedback received from its implementation in Meerut. The company emphasized that the minimum age requirement of 18 years remains in place and that those under 18 will still be prohibited from booking rooms. The company also clarified that existing laws protect adults from harassment as long as no criminal activity is involved. The policy applies to both online and in-person bookings.
The policy has sparked debate, raising questions about privacy and the rights of unmarried couples. While Oyo cites concerns from local communities, critics argue that the policy is discriminatory and unnecessary, given the absence of existing legal restrictions barring unmarried couples from hotels.
First Piper 