OYO Jumps On The Generative AI Bandwagon, Launches ChatGPT-Powered Self Check-In In UK

IPO-bound hospitality unicorn OYO on Monday (July 24) said it has launched a ChatGPT-powered virtual front desk solution for its partner hotels in the UK to enable self check-in for guests.

In a statement, the company said that the solution will reduce waiting time for an OYO partner hotel’s customers by offering a five-minute check-in experience, helping and guiding international travellers who do not speak the local language, leading to faster response and resolution.

The self check-in tech is integrated with smart lock systems, which allows guests a keyless entry and exit.

OYO said that the ChatGPT-enabled solution will reduce front desk operations expenses by around 60% for its UK hotels, saving them around €50,000 annually on average. The virtual front desk solution will support 80+ languages, OYO claimed, adding that it will analyse guest preferences to provide recommendations for activities, dining and local attractions.

However, OYO didn’t say if it plans to expand the self check-in solution to other locations beyond the UK, including India, as well. 

Talking about the new solution, Gautam Swaroop, CEO of OYO International said, “The virtual front desk serves as a powerful tool that provides guests with personalised recommendations, exclusive offers and seamless navigation. This also contributes to boosting bookings on OYO’s platforms, creating an additional revenue stream for hotel owners.”

OYO claimed that its pricing engine has done over 11 Mn price modifications in the UK market, driven by its AI-enabled tech solutions for hotels in the country.

Puneet Yadav, the head of OYO UK, added, “There has been an increasing shift in consumer behaviour where they prefer digital-first interactions, convenience and personalisation. This has steered the hospitality industry towards the adoption of guest-facing technology. At OYO, we have made a conscious effort to advance our tech stack to keep up with new customer demands and advanced technologies.”

The self check-in solution’s launch follows OYO launching a new brand, Palette, for upscale resorts and hotels to target premium travellers. The startup has launched 10 Palette resorts as a pilot, with a plan to add 40 more Palette resorts to its portfolio by Q2 FY24.

In a town hall meeting earlier this year, the hospitality unicorn told its employees that it turned cash flow positive in the quarter ended March 2023. The startup said it was likely to end the quarter with a surplus cash flow of INR 90 Cr, Inc42 reported.

Meanwhile, after multiple delays, OYO filed its draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) through the confidential filing route. It also cut the issue size to $400-$600 Mn.

Generative AI has become the next tech integration for many Indian startups, as companies across the board are developing industry-specific use cases with ChatGPT and GPT-4. 

Earlier this month, online travel aggregator (OTA) ixigo launched a ChatGPT-powered ‘intelligent’ trip planner, PLAN. Similarly, foodtech decacorn Swiggy launched ‘neural search’, an AI chatbot that offers personalised recommendations for a user’s open-ended and conversational queries, along with other generative AI-powered products.

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