How Is the Hospitality Sector Supporting Ukrainian Refugees?

There’s been an outpour of support for Ukraine from every corner of the world ever since the conflict started. Even the hotel industry has consolidated its efforts to support Ukrainian refugees. These contributions are in line with what we stand for: offering the best service to people. While it may come as a surprise, the hospitality industry has been regarded for its social, economic and environmental contributions many times before. Our sector’s noteworthy efforts during natural disasters, economic downturns, and geopolitical disputes have included skills training and innovation, setting up charity foundations, giving aid, and promoting peace and human rights. [1] 

In this article, we explore what the European travel and leisure sector, especially leading hotel chains, are doing to help Ukrainian refugees when it comes to safety, care, shelter, employment and resources. You will also learn how your restaurant, bar, hotel or resort can make a difference via Hosco’s dedicated platform for supporting Ukrainian refugees.

Which Hospitality Platforms Are Supporting Ukrainians On A Europe-Wide Basis?

In the face of such a humanitarian crisis, hospitality providers across the EU member states have not been slow to react to help those displaced or fleeing the conflict.

The very first initiatives for offering help started shortly after the conflict in Ukraine began. More than 600 hotels signed up to HospitalityHelps, a platform setup by respected hotel industry names such as PKF hospitality group and HotelSwaps. The platform even has a dedicated homonymous hashtag, and offers Ukrainian refugees short-term hotel stays across Europe, as well as subsequent long-term accommodation. More than 600 hotels are supporting this fine initiative, from independents to major industry players.

Hospitality For Ukraine is another global directory of hospitality companies offering free accommodation to Ukrainian refugees. 

What Are the Noteworthy Initiatives Launched by Some Countries to Help Ukrainian Refugees?

The United Kingdom 

In March 2022, Chef Steven Saunders and restaurant owner Shaina Galvin [2] of The Willow Tree in Bourne launched the Odessa project, which connects Ukrainian refugees with local hospitality businesses that offer jobs and accommodation. 1,750 hotels of all sizes requested to join the project, yielding accommodation for about 4,000 people. The restaurant has also added a £1 donation for Unicef Ukraine to all customer bills. 

Portugal

A specific training programme named “Formação + Próxima” was created by Turismo Portugal to host Ukrainian refugees in Portugal. It is geared at integrating refugees into the tourism sector by giving them access to modules on basic integration into Portuguese society, culture and language, personal and professional development, and a special module on hospitality and tourism. [3]

France 

In France, the Centaurus Group worked with the Association for Professional Accommodation and Tourism (ATOP) and Best Western France to deliver several trucks full of food and basic necessities to Ukraine, a valuable supplement to the work carried out by UNHCR. [3]

How Are Hotel Groups Helping Ukrainian Refugees?

Marriott

Marriott International’s support for Ukrainian refugees has raised over £1.3m in donations by their hotels and associates. In addition, some 11,000 free rooms have been made available to refugees in the countries bordering Ukraine through the Hospitality Helps scheme. [4]

Accor

The Group is closely collaborating with authorities and NGOs to welcome these refugees by offering shelter and resources in neighbouring countries such as Poland, Romania, Italy and France. [5]

Wyndham

The group donated $100,000 to support the humanitarian relief efforts of Save the Children, as well as giving 1 million Wyndham Rewards points to the same charity. Wyndham Group also donated its profits from business operations in Russia to relief efforts. [6]

IHG

IHG has offered Ukrainian refugees temporary accommodation through their hotels in Ukraine's neighbouring countries. The group has also made large donations to two humanitarian organisations. [7]

Sircle Collection 

This group of hotels stands out for simplifying their job applications process. Ukrainians seeking work at their establishments in Austria, Germany, The Netherlands, and Spain will no longer have to send in lengthy resumes, and can apply with a simple email stating the desired position instead. 

How Is Hosco Supporting Ukrainian Refugees, And How Can You Help?

As an established platform for hospitality employers, professionals, students, and schools, we are committed to offering help wherever we can. This is why we launched Hosco jobs for Ukraine, a page where hotels, resorts, bars and restaurants can offer jobs and accommodation. 

Ukrainian refugees, in turn, can find details of the hospitality opportunities on offer and how to apply for them on the same page. Our efforts have resulted in more than 3,000 job offers from our employer network, out of which 60% offer accommodation. We welcome new signups each day. 

There is no doubt that the Ukrainian refugee situation is a humanitarian crisis. From a corporate social responsibility perspective, we can welcome Ukrainian refugees to our teams to help them restore some normality to their lives, and help support their families. Lastly, employing them could be mutually beneficial, especially given the current talent shortage in our sector and the fact that Ukraine is one of the most educated societies in the world. [8]