OYO enters experiences space with “OYO Near You”

While it continues to open properties in new markets around the world, India-based hospitality company OYO Hotels & Homes is launching a new experiences division in its home country.

OYO Near You will offer curated activities such as wine tastings, comedy shows, live performances and movie screenings at OYO properties, beginning in Delhi and the surrounding region and adding eight more cities in India soon.

The events will be open to both locals and guests and will include complimentary drinks and access to food stalls for about $5 per person. OYO is working with entertainment company GoParties to offer the experiences.

“With OYO Near You, we aim to strengthen our commitment of providing comfortable, affordable and reliable hospitality experiences for not only travelers but also locals who have the palette to try out new experiences,” says Ankit Tandon, chief operating officer of operated business at OYO Hotels & Homes.

“Through this brand, our aim is to make the neighborhood more lively and exciting and provide customers with the most unique and perfectly curated events. Today, travelers not just look at hotels for comfort, but largely prefer hotels that offer them unique experiences to make the most of their visit. We, at, OYO, are the first among hotel chains to invest as well as curate such experiences for travelers and locals opting for budget to mid-scale hotels.”

The company says most OYO Near You experiences will take place in OYO Townhouse properties, its millennial-focused brand. It aims to have 400 Townhouse properties open by the end of 2019, but it says it does not have plans to expand OYO Near You outside India at this time.

Earlier this month Airbnb confirmed it had invested in OYO as part of the brand’s $1 billion Series E round.

OYO says it operates in more than 500 cities, primarily in Asia, and has more than 18,000 franchised or leased hotels and more than 10,000 homes and villas as a part its chain.