OYO launches industry first in-app SOS button

New Delhi, March 8, 2019: OYO - South Asia’s largest, and world’s fastest growing chain of hotels, homes and quality spaces - as part of its pioneering efforts to integrate technology to solve for all areas of guest experience, today announced the launch of its in app SOS button - a first in the hospitality industry.

The newly launched in app SOS button feature will enable guests experiencing any emergency situation to not only receive the assistance of the on-ground hotel staff but also benefit from the expertise of a specially trained 24x7 OYO Safety Response Team (SRT) and also initiate a call with local law enforcement authorities. Starting today, the first phase of the implementation of the app is scheduled to begin in 25 cities with a pilot already running in Gurugram.

OYO is committed to creating multiple touch-points with guests for a safe, convenient and comfortable experience across its 8700+ properties in India. With security, quality, location and price being key considerations for majority of travellers in the budget to mid-scale segment, OYO aims to help create a perfect space in every place by solving for each of the said considerations through a combination of technology and on-ground interventions.

With a view to help tourist footfalls increase year on year, OYO’s first of its kind in-app SOS button helps guests checking in to an OYO hotel, have the additional advantage of a real-time assistance feature to report and redress any concerning issues with regard to personal safety, especially for solo travellers. This is in addition to the already available in-app support platform - OYO Assist that offers end-to-end automated resolution to customers, ranging from booking modification to enquiries on OYO hotel policies to claiming for refunds on bookings, all at the touch of a button. The addition of the SOS button is meant to improve both awareness as well as usage of all the 4 safety features that OYO provides:

* OYO reiterates its commitment to bringing technology led innovations for enhanced safety of all the guests - a first in the hospitality industry

* In-app emergency assistance button activates on check-in with options to contact the 24x7 OYO Safety response team as well as local law enforcement authorities

* Once activated, the in-app SOS button generates a trigger alert to OYO’s Safety Response Team with the guest, booking, location and emergency contact details