January 29: Khalti, one of the emerging digital wallets and payment gateways in Nepal, has announced its partnership with OYO, a tech pioneer in hotel services that offers standardized accommodation to travelers. Issuing a press statement, Khalti said this partnership will make hotel bookings easier in Nepal.

The partnership will allow OYO customers in Nepal to make one-touch payment for their hotel rooms through Khalti gateway for both app and web-based bookings.

“Hospitality is the key driver for travel and tourism industry and with this association, Khalti marks its entrance in this segment. The collaboration of Khalti and OYO in Nepal for adding fast and secure digital payments will solve a major challenge for hotel bookings by residents of the country,” reads the statement.

Manish Modi, co-founder and managing director of Khalti, said, “Khalti has made its mark in the history of Nepalese digital payment system within a short time span. Starting from recharge and bill payments, stepping into commerce line by launching OnePlus 5 in Khalti platform, now we have made a foray into hospitality space. As a payment gateway, Khalti is committed to providing users the ease of paying bills in the fastest and secure way for everything on the move.”

As per the statement, OYO is the global pioneer of a new business model developed in India. The company entered into Nepal in April 2017. OYO partners with hotels to standardize and transform their rooms enabling a better experience for guests. OYO currently operates 20+ hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara and is quickly expanding to increase its footprint.

Launched in the Nepali market on January 26, 2017, Khalti has emerged as one of the most preferred mobile payment solutions in Nepal. Khalti claimed that it has more than 100,000 users registered on its platform.