 "OYO Rooms a threat, says Cyrus Mistry")
Hotels, led by online travel aggregators and companies, have started offering a host of new flexible options to lure travellers. These range from assured early morning and flexible check-in options to pay at hotels (one does not need to pay anything if the booking is cancelled). All these frills are in addition to high discounts that have become the norm of the online hotel booking space.
OYO, the largest hotel room aggregator last month launched a sunrise check that offers guaranteed early check in at 6 am at more than 2,000 hotels. This facility is being offered free of cost in many OYOs, and at a nominal charge in others.
Ritesh Agarwal, founder & chief executive officer, OYO, said: "Despite changes in the way we live, travel and work, the hotel industry across the world continues to follow the outdated concept of a standard check-in time. Nowadays, travel is no longer about following prescribed itineraries".
In September, online travel company Yatra introduced a 'Day Use' feature for hotels. It is targeting the increasing segment of travelers looking to use a hotel only for half a day, or just for a few hours.
A key part of this segment is the business traveler who needs a hotel for a few hours to freshen up and relax before or after business meetings. Yatra believes that this format will rapidly gain popularity as it is backed by the strong benefit of rates that are up to 60 per cent lower with options ranging from budget to star properties. A total of 700 hotels (approx) on Yatra platform have signed for this facility.
"The feature enhances the flexibility for travellers needing a hotel for only a few hours who are not keen to pay for a full 24 hour use - whether they are looking for an informal meeting space, long layovers or a convenient base for a day out sight-seeing. This model creates a win-win for travellers and hoteliers and hence we believe that it has tremendous growth potential in the country," said Sharat Dhall, President at Yatra.
Check-in and check-out time have always been a standardised phenomenon globally though some hotels try to accommodate an early check-in or a late check-out depending on the availability. However, there was always an element of uncertainty. Travellers can now opt for a guaranteed flexible check-in.
Online travel companies like MakeMyTrip and Cleartrip have also introduced flexibility in payment options. Cleartrip's Pay@Hotel lets the traveller book now and pay later at the hotel. The traveler pays only after he stays. Also, in case the hotel turns out to be different from what was shown online, Cleartrip offers a "Sleep promise" and assures another hotel that is more suited.
FindMyStay, a start up that allows travellers to bid a tariff that is lower to standard hotel rates, has also introduced an option to pay at the hotel. "A number of customers are not comfortable using cards to make an online payment. They prefer to pay cash. That is why many traditional travel agents still see a business," said Rohit Khetrapal, co-founder.
