OYO launches 'Super OYO' in more than 70 cities in India

New Delhi, Dec 14 Global travel technology company OYO has launched a programme to recognise hotels that provide the most consistent and high-quality customer experience.

The category called 'Super OYO' constantly analyses each hotel's performance on multiple parameters such as customer ratings and reviews, keeping maximum rooms operational consistently, smooth check-in experience, among others, said the company.

Consumers can now see hotels marked 'Super OYO' while booking through the OYO App. Currently, there are around 200+ Super OYOs available on the site and the company will encourage other hotels on its platform to work towards achieving this highly selective moniker and becoming a part of this exclusive category.

In line with the company's mission to double down on trusted and best-in-class customer experiences, 'Super OYO' is one of the multiple programmes OYO is working on to help customers find choices for the kind of stay they are looking for, provide relevant information to make an informed choice and ensure comfortable and hassle-free stays at highly competitive prices.

'Super OYO' is now available to all app users in India and is set to be launched across key global markets in 2023. OYO customers can easily access the Super OYOs category from the home screen by clicking on the Super OYO banner that leads to a dedicated aSuper OYO' store, select their destination city and browse all available hotels.

While appealing to guests, this new category also recognises hotel operators (patrons) who go above and beyond to provide exceptional customer experiences. Since only hotels that meet predefined parameters can beArecognised as 'Super OYO', these properties are required to maintain an average rating of 4 and above, ensuring zero check-in issues, low cancellations and minimal negative feedback.

Since the tag is a non-paid category achievable by maintaining excellent customer experiences, hotel owners can create a niche for their hotel in the market, said the company.

"Over the last few months, as travel resurged, our customers gave us a lot of constructive feedback. One of the questions I always get is, when staying in a city where multiple OYOs are available, which is the 'best OYO'. So today we are announcing 'Super OYO'," said Ritesh Agarwal, Founder and Group CEO, OYO.

"The best OYOs by experience, location, analysis of thousands of reviews and verified experiences. For our customers, you get the best of the best OYOs and for our owner patrons' they get higher returns on their assets. Just download the OYO App and hit the Super OYO widget on the home screen," Agarwal said.

As per App Annie, the OYO App is the world's third most downloaded platform globally in the travel category. So far, the app has been downloaded across geographies by more than 100 million users, with a majority based in India.

"Over the next few months, we will continue to launch initiatives to make customer journeys smoother - right from more tailored products, better digital experiences, and faster turnaround for all travellers," informed Agarwal.

Since the pandemic, a permanent shift in consumer behaviour has rewired consumption patterns, leading to the adoption of a renewed value system - especially when it comes to travel decisions.

During this time, OYO has worked towards building a more nuanced, updated, and easy-to-use app that catered to the post-pandemic consumers' interests.

To make customer journeys smoother, OYO has launched several tags and highlights such as Trip Type, Long Stays, Check-in Ratings and Super OYO, among others.

The new app also includes a brand-new user interface and improved features for smoother navigation, clear transparency with no hidden terms and conditions.

The OYO app is now 50 per cent faster, allowing users to load the home page within just 1.9 seconds. Check-in ratings offer consumers greater transparency so that they can make informed choices while booking hotels.

Further, OYO's loyalty programme 'Wizard Plus' offers free room nights after every five stays.

The company said it is also embarking on an initiative to install a contemporary version of the ubiquitous OYO signboards on the fascia of select OYO hotels.