GOWRI MANICKAVASAGAM
VADODARA, SEPT 12
The economy has been severely impacted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, micro-entrepreneurs with the most resilience and agility are best placed to come out of the crisis. One such industry that has been seeing plenty of resilient entrepreneurs is the hospitality industry, in particular. At the onset, the current pandemic has induced a sea-change that has altered the way people travel as well as how hotels function. Higher hygiene standards, minimal contact service, and enhanced credibility top the list of requirements. The current situation has also fast-tracked digitisation in the hospitality industry and the hospitality chain, OYO Hotels & Homes, is playing a big role in enabling micro-entrepreneurs across the country to reach their customers online while preparing them to operate in the ‘new normal’.
Dreaming big at sweet 16
Narendra Adwani’s dream of becoming an entrepreneur was kindled as early as when he was 16-years-old when he would set-up stalls during school exhibitions. After completing his graduation in 1987 from the MS University, Baroda he worked as an FMCG Distributor till 2004. During his stint as a distributor, Narendra always toyed with the idea of doing something else to have extra income. That is when he decided to take a franchise of BSNL and ran it successfully for ten years.
Venturing into hospitality biz
In the year 2005, he purchased a property near Siddhivinayak Temple in Vadodara which he later transformed into a hotel. In the year 2018, witnessing the changes OYO Hotels & Homes was bringing about in the state of Gujarat and Vadodara in particular, Narendra decided to partner with OYO. Vadodara has been a gifted city in terms of architectural marvels which attracts travellers of all kinds to experience the rich cultural heritage.
Identifying the true potential of budding tourist spots like these, OYO has been working alongside micro-entrepreneurs like Narendra in empowering them to become profitable asset owners.
OYO gives booster dose
Speaking of his journey, Narendra Adwani, the owner of OYO 9751 Hotel Vrundavan Residency, says, “Owing to my experience as an FMCG distributor to taking up a franchise of BSNL, I learnt the basics of running a small business. With my hard-earned money, I started my first hotel in 2008 and did everything to keep the business afloat; however, with time, I felt I was falling short in front of my competitors.
“On hearing rave reviews about the benefits of partnering with OYO, I partnered with them in 2018, and they upgraded my property with modern amenities. The demand generated with the help of OYO’s support has helped me recover in these times of crisis. Having constant support of a thought partner that helps you in such critical times talks volumes about an organisation. I firmly believe that the decision to get on board with them has been one of the best decisions of my professional career, and together with them, we make a great team! To equip my hotel and staff during these challenging times, the ground team trained us with the new standard operating measures and also upgraded my hotel with the ‘Sanitised Stays’ tag.”
Making a clean sweep
OYO Hotels & Homes through support from asset owners like Narendra Adwani has been spearheading newer standards of operating measures to deliver a safe and quality stay-in experience to its guests. OYO’s CO-OYO app, which is the go-to place for all partners to have complete visibility on their performance, pricing, reviews, has been further upgraded with Chat support, a self-help section, and a support ticket centre. Over seven years, the hospitality chain has empowered thousands of micro-entrepreneurs in India to help them in becoming job creators. OYO’s business proposition where it leverages technology along with its service of simplifying operations and drive consistent, high-quality execution is contributing to the success of hotel owners.
