100,000+ jobs in India - OYO Hotels & Homes is quietly building an entrepreneurial ecosystem

New Delhi, April 10, 2019: OYO Hotels & Homes - South Asia’s largest, and world’s fastest-growing chain of hotels, homes and quality spaces - has created over 100,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities in India and spurred micro, small & medium scale entrepreneurs through its hospitality business spread across 259+ cities, 8700+ buildings (hotels and homes) and 173,000+ rooms.

The company further announced today, that it aims to double the economic opportunities generated by 2020.

Commenting on the commitment, Aditya Ghosh, CEO, India & South Asia said, “We are focused on enabling economic opportunities at every level and are committed towards generating gainful employment and entrepreneurship through our growing network of OYO Hotels and Homes in India. We are excited to note that over half of the 100,000 jobs created by us were in smaller towns and cities of India. As we grow at scale, so does the possibility of an entrepreneurial ecosystem of direct and indirect employment. We therefore aim to double economic opportunities created by 2020.”

Already one of the largest purchasers of linen, toiletries and essential hotel supplies in India, OYO is also helping empower multiple ancillary industries in the hospitality ecosystem by leveraging scale to make bulk procurements that are supporting local businesses. Every month, OYO utilizes over 40 lakh toiletry kits across the 173,000 exclusive rooms which are a part of its chain while procuring 40,000 units of linen.

Mahesh Kumar, Front office executive said, “I came from a small town in Uttar Pradesh looking for an opportunity to showcase my talent and potential. With limited educational qualifications (Class XII), I am glad that OYO offered me an opportunity to work in the front desk of its hotel in Lucknow after undergoing skill training at one of the OYO Skill Institutes. I am now able to earn and support myself financially and look forward to a long-term career at OYO.”

Pooja Gupta, Guest Relations Executive said “It was a struggle for me to get a decent job despite having a degree in hotel management. I am currently working at an OYO hotel in Kolkata and earning a decent income to support myself and my family. I realize that my role has a direct impact on the perception of guests towards OYO and a compliment from the guests makes my day! I am looking forward to working my way up at OYO and achieve my goals.”

Separately, the 1200+ member strong transformation team of civil engineers, interior decorators, designers and fabricators employs local masons, artisans and construction workers at the city level while renovating and upgrading hotels to OYO standards, creating additional local employment opportunities for the informal sector of the economy and enabling financial inclusion through bank transfers where possible.

Additionally, the company has set up 22 OYO Skill Institutes in India for training frontline staff in every aspect of hotel management in India. The Institutes add to skill building as well as ensure that the thousands of young people who are entering the formal workforce in the country have access to opportunities for growth in the tourism and hospitality sector. OYO works actively with asset owners to tap into the local talent pool, ensures hotel staff is groomed and well trained, get professional growth opportunities. OYO is also working with multiple states and taking part in the state organized job fairs.

Ritesh Agarwal, CII Co-chair on National committee on Tourism & Hospitality said, “Just in terms of sheer numbers, the hospitality industry creates more job opportunities than the IT industry and at OYO, we are thankful to our 100,000+ strong hospitality workforce. India’s travel and tourism sector has the potential to create 50 lakh jobs (direct & indirect).”

India’s labour force adds 475,000 people on an average per year and in order to reap the benefits of the demographic dividend, it is pertinent to create adequate employment opportunities and impart skill training. OYO is committed to supporting the govt as well as the young workforce by creating gainful employment and economic opportunities.

About OYO:

OYO is South Asia’s largest and the world’s fastest growing chain of hotels, homes & spaces! With footprints in more than 500 cities across 10 countries - India, China, Malaysia, Nepal, the UK, UAE, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, the Philippines and more recently Japan. With over 18,000 franchised or leased hotels in its chain and over 6000 homes. OYO is backed by leading investors, including the SoftBank Group, Greenoaks Capital, Sequoia India, Lightspeed India, Hero Enterprise and China Lodging Group.

● OYO Hotels are enabling over 100k direct and indirect jobs in India alone

● Ancillary economic opportunity partners include companies that are providing linen, toiletries and essential hotel supplies and are helping generate additional opportunities

● OYO’s 1200+-member strong transformation and renovation team works with local craftsmen and through skill-building and training helps thousands of informal economy sector workers receive economic opportunities.

● 22 OYO Skill Institutes in India are churning out industry-ready talent for hotel management

● Commits to doubling economic opportunities created by 2020