Shark Tank India 3 is creating waves with its dynamic mix of seasoned and new sharks, including the youngest addition, OYO CEO Ritesh Agarwal. In a recent interview, Agarwal unveiled his ambitious plan to extend OYO’s footprint to Lakshadweep by establishing a hotel chain. Adding to the intrigue, OYO CEO Ritesh Agarwal sparked curiosity when he unveiled his dream celebrity sharks to bring some energy to the reality show. He expressed a keen interest in having the charismatic actor Ranveer Singh, citing his unique style for a refreshing perspective. Additionally, Agarwal named Kartik Aaryan, acknowledging his journey beyond glamour, and also suggested cricketer Suryakumar Yadav as another fitting candidate.
In an interview with Hindustan Times, the entrepreneur said, “I think Ranveer Singh would be the one. He will bring a sense of consumer understanding and energy, which we also try to bring, but of course, he will bring his own perspective. Kartik Aaryan is a small town person, but has done very smart things. Not much is talked about him, but he came from a small town and became very successful in Bollywood. He has done it all, but very quietly and systematically and made a bunch of investments. I would say these two would be best.”
Ritesh Agarwal discussed the growing hospitality industry and addressed the current trend of promoting Indian destinations like Lakshadweep over international locations such as the Maldives. The Shark Tank India 3 panellist confirmed OYO’s plans to expand its hotels to the Indian island to push for domestic tourism. He said, “I think Lakshadweep will be an incredible destination. We are quite preparing to announce our launch in Lakshadweep. We are quite excited about it.”
The entrepreneur further spoke about several emerging trends in the travel and hospitality industry. Firstly, he highlighted the growing interest in religious tours. He mentioned that their bookings for religious destinations like Banaras and Ayodhya surpassed popular tourist spots like Goa in 2023. To meet the booming demand, OYO is set to open 65 properties in Ayodhya, with plans for further expansion. The second trend he feels is domestic travel, indicating a shift in focus towards exploring destinations within India rather than spending abroad.
Ritesh Agarwal also pointed out the trend of destination weddings gaining popularity in India. He mentioned that OYO has a brand called Weddingz. According to him, people are increasingly interested in hosting destination weddings within the country and gave examples of locations like Thiruvananthapuram and Rajasthan. Additionally, he highlighted the growing interest in the North East as an emerging destination for weddings.
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