Page 3 - Oyo Hotels & Homes

Indian hotel industry cannot surrender to 'civil society's' marriage police

Unlike toy makers or sellers of detergent, service-based companies must deal with customers as people, but there's no point achieving scale at the cost of your brand's core appeal

Compromised values: Oyo's decision to discriminate opens Pandora's box

How businesses deal with such issues, which will increasingly be on their radar, will determine their longevity and popular image

upGrad's Mayank Kumar, Oyo's Ayush Mathur unveil new venture BorderPlus

BorderPlus is a talent mobility platform dedicated to connecting blue-collar workers with global opportunities

Unmarried couples no longer welcome, OYO changes check-in policy

Travel booking major OYO has launched a new check-in policy for partner hotels, starting from Meerut, introducing guidelines effective this year whereby unmarried couples will no longer be welcome to check in. Under the revised policy, all couples will be asked to present valid proof of relationship at the time of check-in, including for bookings made online. OYO has empowered its partner hotels' discretion to decline couple bookings based on their judgment, aligning with local social sensibility, the company said. OYO has given the directive to its partner hotels in Meerut to ensure this with immediate effect. Based on ground feedback, the company may expand this to more cities, people familiar with the policy change said. "OYO has received feedback in the past from civil society groups especially in Meerut urging action to address this issue. Additionally, residents from few other cities have petitioned for disallowing unmarried couples to check-in at OYO hotels," they said. Pawa

Nuvama Wealth buys OYO shares worth Rs 100 cr in secondary market

Nuvama Wealth and Investment Limited has acquired shares worth Rs 100 crore in OYO's parent firm Oravel Stays Limited at Rs 53 per share on behalf of its investors, a clutch of family offices, through a secondary market transaction, sources said. The share sale at Rs 53 apiece translates to a valuation of USD 4.6 billion for the travel tech unicorn. "These shares are being offered by OYO's early investors, presenting an opportunity for partial exits while potentially introducing new strategic investors to the company's cap table," a source told PTI. A cap table (or capitalization table) is a document, like a table, that details who has ownership in a company. It lists all the securities or the number of shares including stock, convertible notes, warrants, and equity ownership grants. According to sources, discussions are also at an advanced stage with other potential buyers, including Incred, who are exploring stake purchases in the hospitality major at prices ranging between Rs 53

Moody's upgrades Oyo parent Oravel Stays rating; maintains stable outlook

Moody's Ratings has upgraded the corporate family rating (CFR) of Oravel Stays Limited -- travel tech platform OYO's parent firm -- and the rating on the senior secured term loan issued by its wholly-owned subsidiary OYO Singapore to B2 from B3, and maintained the stable outlook. In a statement on Wednesday, Moody's said it has assigned a B2 rating to the USD 825 million senior secured term loan facility to be availed by Oravel Stays Singapore Pte. (OYO Singapore). The term loan is fully underwritten by Deutsche Bank. Elaborating upon the rating rationale, Moody's said OYO is in the process of securing a new five-year USD 825 million term loan, which together with the USD 174 million of primary equity capital raised between June and August 2024, will be used to repay its existing TLB that matures in June 2026, easing its refinancing pressures. The proceeds will also fund the company's proposed USD 525-million acquisition of US-based hotel chain Motel 6. OYO's interest expense will

Moody's upgrades Oyo's rating to B2, highlights improved profitability

Proposed term loan to reduce refinancing risk

Oyo's premiuim hotel brand 'SUNDAY' launches first international hotel

In a bid to expand its premium property portfolio overseas, SUNDAY, a luxury hotel brand owned by OYO's parent firm and SoftBank Group, has opened its first properties abroad in the UK and UAE, OYO announced on Wednesday. The initiative is a part of OYO's ongoing efforts to strengthen its premium property portfolio across the globe, the company stated. SUNDAY Lansbury Heritage near London's iconic business district Canary Wharf will now be operated by Oravel. The 35-room property is a restored Grade II listed building with its history dating back to 1628 when the East India Company built its first chapel and almshouses on the site. SUNDAY in Dubai has been launched with the opening of SUNDAY Holiday International Hotel. The premium brand of properties was originally launched in May 2023 in India by the joint venture between the Softbank and Oravel Stays. At present, there are three SUNDAY properties in India with a plan to increase to 25 by the end of March 2025. "Our data indic

IPO-bound OYO rejigs top leadership; COO shifted to advisory role

IPO-bound OYO on Friday announced five additions to its leadership team, with Sonal Sinha being appointed as Chief Operating Officer (COO)? International and Rachit Srivastava as the COO of OYO Vacation Homes in Europe. Besides, Shashank Jain will take over as Head of Technology & Online Revenue; Pankhuri Sakhuja will lead German home listings business Traum & flex-space business Innov8 and Ashish Bajpai has been promoted to Head of Revenue & Global OTA (online travel agency). OYO Founder & Group CEO Ritesh Agarwal said, "As we pursue our growth objectives, agility and decisive action remain at the core of our strategy. "Our leaders are continuously adapting and expanding their roles to stay ahead of evolving market dynamics and drive our business forward. I congratulate Sonal, Rachit, Shashank, Pankhuri and Ashish on their new roles. Having been with OYO for a significant period, they understand OYO and its values and have been critical to our success." OYO's Global ..

OYO estimates Ebidta to cross Rs 2,000 cr in FY26 with Motel 6 acquisition

The EBITDA of IPO-bound travel tech platform OYO is expected to cross Rs 2,000 crore in 2025-26 with the American budget hotel chain Motel 6 adding substantially to its topline, according to documents. The travel tech unicorn estimates that Motel 6 will add over Rs 630 crore to its EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortisation) in the coming financial year, which will be the first full year of its integration. The travel tech major is expected to refile its initial public offering (IPO) papers with markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) after refinancing its existing USD 450 million Term Loan B (TLB) at a lower interest rate. OYO on Saturday announced it has agreed to acquire Motel 6 and Studio 6 brands from Blackstone Real Estate for USD 525 million in an all-cash transaction. Oravel Stays, the parent company of OYO stated that it will acquire G6 Hospitality, the leading economy lodging franchisor and parent company of Motel 6 an

Oyo buys leading US hotel chain G6 Hospitality from Blackstone for $525mn

Oyo has steadily expanded its footprint in the United States since its launch in the region in 2019 and currently operates over 320 hotels across 35 states

OYO to acquire iconic Motel 6 brand in $525 million all-cash deal

IPO-bound travel tech platform OYO on Saturday announced it has agreed to acquire iconic American budget hotel chain Motel 6 and Studio 6 brands from Blackstone Real Estate for USD 525 million in an all-cash transaction, as the Indian unicorn eyes expansion in the US. Oravel Stays, the parent company of OYO stated that it has agreed to acquire G6 Hospitality, the leading economy lodging franchisor and parent company of Motel 6 and the chain's offshoot hotel brand, Studio 6. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2024, subject to customary closing conditions. Motel 6's franchise network produces gross room revenues of USD 1.7 billion, which generates a strong fee base and cash flow for G6. OYO will leverage its comprehensive technology suite as well as its global distribution network and marketing expertise to further strengthen the Motel 6 and Studio 6 brands and drive continued financial growth, it stated. The travel tech platform has steadily expanded its

M3M India, Oravel sign pact to launch 'SUNDAY' branded hotel in Gurugram

Realty firm M3M India and Oravel Stays, which is the parent company of OYO Hotels & Homes, have signed an initial agreement to launch a premium hotel under 'SUNDAY' brand in Gurugram. In a statement, M3M India said it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch 'SUNDAY' Hotel in India. This project will feature 220 keys, spanning 1.69 lakh sq ft of premium hospitality space. The hotel is located on Southern Peripheral Road (SPR) in Gurugram. The initiative is part of a larger partnership to develop luxurious hospitality space across 15 lakh square feet with 1,000 keys across multiple destinations in Gurugram and Noida, M3M said "This collaboration is a testament to our shared vision of creating unparalleled commercial spaces that redefine luxury and convenience," Sudeep Bhatt, President of M3M India, said. Aditya Sharma, Business Head at Oravel Stays Pvt Ltd, said, "The SUNDAY Hotel partnership with M3M India allows us to expand our footprint in the luxury segment in

IPO-bound hotel chain Oyo aims three-fold profit surge to over Rs 700 crore

Earlier this year, OYO reported its first PAT of nearly Rs 229 crore for the financial year 2023-24 (FY24). OYO achieved a PAT of about Rs 132 crore in Q1 FY25

IPO-bound OYO reports first ever net profit of Rs 229 crore in FY24

IPO-bound unicorn OYO reported its first-ever net profit at Rs 229 crore during the financial year ended March, as per its latest annual report. Ritesh Agarwal, OYO founder, acknowledged on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday that the numbers have exceeded his earlier estimate of Rs 100 crore for the 2023-24 fiscal year. "One big learning for me over the years is under-promise and over-deliver. Our audited results are published post-adoption by the board. The effort of OYOpreneurs has delivered Rs 229 crore net profit, exceeding my earlier estimate of Rs 100 crore," Agarwal tweeted. In a statement, OYO informed that the first-ever net profit comes on the back of eight consecutive quarters of positive Adjusted EBITDA. "OYO's Adjusted EBITDA grew by 215 per cent to reach nearly Rs 877 crore in FY24, up from about Rs 277 crore in FY23," the travel tech platform reported in its annual report. Aiming for global expansion, the company said it has acquired K&J Consulting, which operates ..

Oyo founder Ritesh Agarwal invests Rs 830 cr in firm's latest funding round

Besides Agarwal, key contributors in the funding round include InCred Wealth, J&A Partners, the family office of Mankind Pharma promoters and ASK Financial Holdings

OYO's parent Oravel Stays raises Rs 1,457 crore in latest funding round

Oravel Stays Ltd, the parent company of OYO, has raised Rs 1,457 crore from a consortium of investors in the latest funding round, sources said. The IPO-bound unicorn has raised nearly Rs 1,040 crore in the Series G funding round. This follows an earlier raise of Rs 416.85 crore in the same series and concludes the round. According to different documents accessed by PTI, the additional equity issuance was approved by 99.99 per cent shareholders in an EGM held on August 8. The capital will be used to support OYO's growth and its global expansion plans, sources said. The additional fund raise values the company at the same valuation of USD 2.4 billion, as the first Series G tranche issued to InCred in July, a source said. The investment is being made through Compulsory Convertible Cumulative Preference Shares, each priced at Rs 29, consistent with the valuation of the recent raise in Series G. The funding round includes contributions from InCred Wealth, who led the recent fundrai

Softbank nominee likely to join Oyo board as non-executive director

IPO-bound unicorn OYO's parent firm Oravel Stays Ltd is set to appoint Sumer Juneja, Managing Partner and Head of EMEA & India Investing at SoftBank Vision Fund, as a non-executive director on its board, sources said. The appointment is subject to shareholders' approval to be sought at an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM), according to information accessed by PTI. Sumer will join Oravel Stays' Board as a nominee director of Softbank. Sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the move signals SoftBank's bullish stance on OYO, in light of the company turning profitable. Travel tech platform OYO reported financial year 2023-24 as the maiden profitable fiscal year with net earnings of nearly Rs 100 crore, founder Ritesh Agarwal said in a post on microblogging site X, formerly Twitter, recently. "SoftBank is actively supporting OYO and showing renewed interest in its prospects. They want to provide impetus to the company's growth in international markets," said a person ...

SoftBank Group-backed Oyo in talks to raise Rs 1,000 cr from family offices

After withdrawing its application for an IPO last month, Oyo is set to hold an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) on Tuesday to approve the fundraising after increasing its authorised share capital

Southeast Asia emerges as top choice for Indian tourists, finds Oyo report

Southeast Asian countries have emerged as the favourite destinations for Indian travellers planning short vacations abroad, while the United States, Europe, and Australia were among the preferences for long stays, according to a survey released on Monday. According to OYO Global Summer Vacations Travelopedia 2024: Southeast Asia has emerged as the top choice of Indian tourists for shorter stays of 5-7 days, making the most of long weekends and holidays after visa relaxation. The final sample size comprised around 4,000 respondents, providing a data set to analyse emerging trends and preferences in the overseas travel behaviour of Indian tourists. Bali emerged as the top destination with 38 per cent respondents voting in its favour, closely followed by Pattaya, Bangkok, and Dubai. Southeast Asian destinations such as Indonesia and Malaysia emerged as preferred countries following relaxed visa norms, OYO said. Europe and the United States of America emerged as the top choice for ...