Hotelbeds launches 'Making Room for Ukraine' project

The bedbank said its Making Room for Ukraine project had already helped “a number of families” to travel from Ukraine to Spain via Hungary and France – including a group who had been sleeping on the floor of a shopping mall.

The creation of the scheme follows Hotelbeds’ support of international humanitarian efforts, such as the Red Cross, and the ceasing of its commercial activities in Russia and Belarus.

Hotelbeds’ ESG lead, Aina Aguilo, said; “We knew we had to move quickly, as the people of Ukraine needed urgent help, so a lot has been happening in a very short space of time.

“We are working with NGOs on the Ukrainian border to identify where refugees are heading, the route they will take and what accommodation they will need along the way.”

Hotelbeds chief executive, Nicolas Huss, added: “We recognise that we’re in a pretty unique position within the industry where we can leverage our relationships to support this humanitarian crisis. It is the least we can do.

“Of course, this wouldn’t be possible without the generous help of our hotel partners and the NGOs. We are grateful to them for their quick response and support, as well as to our teams who have been working day and night to make this happen.”