OYO launches its first hotel in Kathmandu

OYO has announced its foray into Nepal, with the launch of its debut hotel in Kathmandu. OYO is the global pioneer of a new business model developed in India. OYO partners with hotels to standardize and transform their rooms enabling a better experience for guests. It pioneered the use of technology in budget-hotel category to make property operation and management more seamless. Launched in 2013, OYO’s network has grown to 7000 hotels in 200 cities. Nepal is the second overseas market for OYO, after its successful venture into Malaysia in January 2016 where it has now grown to 200 hotels.
Commenting on the launch, Ritesh Agarwal, Founder and CEO – OYO, said: “OYO has been at the forefront of the small and budget hotels revolution in India. Building the category grounds-up, we have employed technology and operational acumen to deliver delight to our customers and unparalleled benefits to partners. Our network has witnessed robust growth to become the largest in India. After our successful overseas foray in Malaysia, we are now thrilled to offer OYO’s hassle-free and standardized stay experience to travellers visiting Nepal.” With a wide range of offerings – from beautiful locales, adventure activities, temples and monasteries, to shopping-hubs and casinos – Nepal has emerged as a preferred destination for an impulsively planned getaway any time of the year. According to the Department of Immigration, of the 174,803 tourists that visited Nepal in 2016, the highest number of travellers were reported from India. A further boost to cross-border trade and tourism is expected with India and Bangladesh set to reopen the defunct trans-border rail routes which would extend links to Nepal and Bhutan. The travel and hospitality sector in India is witnessing a phenomenon of Impulse planning. Even as travel-planning cycle reduces further, the expectations from on-ground suppliers and agents of delivering a non-negotiable and predetermined experience have become stronger. Affordable and trusted stay-options remain one of the top concerns for most travellers. With OYO in Nepal, Indian travellers will find it easier to extend their impulse-planning behaviour while planning a holiday. Nepal is also one of the few countries that offers visa-on-arrival to Indians.