Hospitality helps

Tourism initiatives for Ukraine

Like so many other sectors, the tourism industry is making an indispensable contribution these days to counteract the growing humanitarian disaster in Ukraine and to show solidarity. Our deep respect and thanks go to all those who are getting involved in different ways, pooling their resources, making capacities available and providing help where help is possible.

Initial statements and declarations of solidarity are followed hourly by growing and concrete aid measures, ranging from fundraising campaigns and the provision of accommodation and transportation to charity events and job initiatives. You can find a small selection here. May this list be continued.

#touristikhilft - An initiative of German tourism associations

The trade association HSMA (Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association Deutschland e.V.) lists various contact points where free rooms can be reported within (German) federal states or municipalities and also provides information on further campaigns and basic information for refugees.

#hospitalityhelps - An initiative of the PKF Hospitality Group

With Hospitality Helps, the PKF Hospitality Group and its partners have launched a platform that calls on hotels to take in Ukrainian refugees and at the same time makes it easier for people from Ukraine to find accommodation. The aim is to make it easy to find available hotel beds. The site allows users to choose between "I need a room" and "I have rooms".

#hotelleriehilft - An initiative of the ÖHV

The website of the Austrian Hotel Association (ÖHV) currently lists around 70 hotels that are providing free accommodation for Ukrainian refugees (as of 3.3.22, 11:30), and is calling on other establishments to get in touch.

Hospitality for Ukraine - An initiative of Stay the Night

The Hospitality for Ukraine campaign by the marketing agency [Stay the Night and content creator Kash Bhattacharya from BudgetTraveller is also calling on hotels, hostels and other accommodation providers to open their doors to Ukrainian refugees. More information](https://staythenight.net/hospitality-for-ukraine/)

Mobility: Deutsch Bahn, OEBB, Flixbus and others

Both the Österreichische Bundesbahn (OEBB) and Wiener Linien (1-15 March) allow refugees to use their means of transport free of charge. The [Deutsche Bahn facilitates the onward journey to Germany by planning special trains. Long-distance trains from Poland to Germany can be used free of charge by Ukrainian citizens. FLIXBUS](https://www.integrationsfonds.at/newsbeitrag/humanitaere-hilfe-fuer-die-ukraine-wie-oesterreich-hilft-12940/#:~:text=%C3%96BB%2C%20Wiener%20Linien%2C%20A1%2C%20Drei%20und%20Magenta&text=Menschen%2C%20die%20aus%20der%20Ukraine,Wiener%20Linien%20ohne%20Ticket%20nutzen.) also provides support with bus tickets from Przemyśl, Rzeszów and Bucharest. Numerous bus companies are also involved in the transportation of donated goods and a simplified shuttle service, including "Crazy Tours" and "Urban-Reisen", as Handelsblatt reported yesterday.

Air travel: example Wizz Air

The airline Wizz Air provides a total of 100,000 free seats from cities close to the border for flights to Europe (one piece of hand luggage is included, but costs are incurred for all other pieces of luggage). The price applies exclusively to bookings made on wizzair.com.

Gastronomy: Good food, good deed

"Fine Dine for Ukraine", a charity event, took place on 6.3.22 from 12:00 to 17:00 at the Hotel am Brillantengrund in Vienna's 7th district (which also already accommodates around 30 refugees). Paul Ivic, Managing Director of the vegetarian restaurant Tian in Vienna and organizer of the event, announced the event on Instagram with the following words: "Together with friends from the gastronomy industry and our supplier network, we would like to do our part to support Ukrainian refugees." Also on board were well-known Viennese gourmet greats such as Juan Amador, XO Grill, Mochi, Mraz & Son and Bruder. The hard facts: 15 euros per dish, 5 euros per drink. All proceeds go to aid organizations for the Ukraine.


Further examples that are encouraging:
Hans and Thomas Figlmüller donate their Schnitzl daily turnover, the Sage Restaurant in Berlin collects relief supplies, the Stuwer Restaurant in Vienna sells borscht for a good cause, the Zurich veggie pioneer Hiltl makes a donation possible with every payment, 28 Regensburg restaurateurs sell solidarity drinks: 1 - 5 euros per drink are donated, the Lackenhof am Ötscher, on the other hand, canceled a planned event and donated 8,000 euros for Ukraine instead and Vapiano shows solidarity by setting up a donation account.

Hotels that help. Examples of individual hotels, groups and platforms

#
The
Sani/Ikos Group
announced that it would provide jobs and accommodation for 300 people. The online portal
AirBnb
wants to temporarily provide free accommodation for up to 100,000 refugees from Ukraine. Funding is to be provided by the AirBnb.org Refugee Fund and the participating hosts. In Frankfurt, the corporate service provider
Wisang
to rent an entire hotel for Ukrainian refugees - initially for one year. In Vienna
Hotel am Brillantengrund
will not only host a charity event, but also allow refugees to check in.

Further sources

AHGZ