Spiritual Tourism on the Rise in India, Says OYO Founder
As the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 unfolds in Prayagraj, Ritesh Agarwal, the founder and CEO of OYO, has shed light on a notable trend: spiritual tourism in India is growing. Through a recent post on social media, Agarwal emphasized the surge in hotel bookings linked to spiritual journeys.
“OYO is committed to enhancing your travel experience. By the end of 2025, we plan to add 500 hotels in 12 key pilgrimage sites, ensuring that those traveling for spiritual reasons don’t have to settle for less in comfort,” he shared on the platform X (previously known as Twitter).
Agarwal pointed out that this expansion goes beyond just increasing the number of hotels; it’s about meeting a genuine need. He mentioned that religious tourism is projected to generate around $59 billion in revenue by 2028 and is expected to create approximately 140 million jobs by 2030. “We’re eager to play a part in this expanding sector,” he added.
He noted the broad appeal of spiritual sites, attracting everyone from seniors seeking peace to younger generations eager to explore. “Whether it’s your first pilgrimage or an annual journey, we aim to make your travels as smooth as they are meaningful. Where do you plan to go next?” he asked his followers.
