New Delhi: In a move to address mounting criticism, OYO, the global hospitality technology company, has issued a clarification regarding a recent advertisement that stirred a significant online backlash. The controversy erupted on Friday when an ad published in a Hindi news daily featured the phrase “God is everywhere, so is OYO,” which many users felt was insensitive and hurtful to religious sentiments.
The advertisement, intended to promote OYO’s presence in various spiritual destinations such as Ajmer, Ayodhya, Varanasi, and Prayagraj, among others, was met with widespread disapproval on social media platform X. Users expressed their displeasure, calling for an apology and using the hashtag #BoycottOYO.
In response to the outcry, OYO released a statement emphasizing that the advertisement’s purpose was to highlight the company’s commitment to enhancing the spiritual tourism experience in India. “Our intention behind the recent advertisement was to promote religious tourism in India, and not hurt any religious sentiments,” OYO explained. The company reiterated its respect for the diverse faiths and beliefs of the country and its celebration of India’s rich spiritual traditions.
OYO also announced plans to expand its presence in key pilgrimage destinations by adding 500 hotels across 12 major sites by the end of 2025. This initiative is part of the company’s broader strategy to support the Indian government’s efforts to promote spiritual tourism, a sector that is seeing significant growth.
The expansion will include strategic locations such as Ayodhya, where over 150 hotels will be added, and other major pilgrimage sites like Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Haridwar. This move aligns with the rising demand for quality accommodations in these areas, particularly with events like the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj already showing high booking rates.
