January: Coronavirus pandemic’s worse hits were travel and hotel industry, however, amid this OYO claims that India has topped the chart for the hospitality chain as it became the most booked country after the lockdown was removed and global restrictions were also eased down. OYO Travelopedia 2020 report claimed that India topped the charts for OYO as the most booked country, along with Delhi clocked in the most bookings around the world for it in 2020.
OYO Travelopedia 2020 is an annual year-end travel index which is an analysis of actual bookings, cancellations, enquiries and searches taking place on the hospitality chain’s platform. Based on the information bestowed by the index, January 2020 was witnessed to be the most travelled month, however, April 2020 was considered to be witnessing the most number of cancellations across the country as the Centre imposed a national lockdown to prevent the virus spread.
It also said the since many cities are witnessing an unlock, December has been emerged to be the ‘most demanded’ month ahead of the holiday season. The index also revealed that the gradual unlocking process is helping in strengthening the consumer confidence to travel again but safely as major bookings were for October 2 and Christmas long weekends. Over 8.5 million new user bookings were done on OYO app and website this year. Goa was also a hotspot when it came to beach destinations followed by Kochi, Vizag and Pondicherry.
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Talking about the index and the travel scenario in 2020, OYO Hotels and Homes, India and South Asia, CEO Rohit Kapoor said, “The findings of OYO’s Travelopedia is a testament that India is ready to travel again, and we at OYO are here along with our partners ready to welcome them again. I can confidently say that we are emerging stronger out of this crisis compared to when we entered it. While 2021 will be a new learning in itself, we’re hopeful that the changes we have brought in 2020 will set new precedents in the travel and hospitality sector.”