Travel and tourism businesses around the globe have come together to support Ukraine with millions of hotel rooms for refugees escaping the conflict, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

WTTC members such as Accor, Airbnb, Carnival Corp., the European Travel Commission, Expedia, Hilton, InterContinental Hotels Group, Internova Travel Group, Marriott International, MSC Cruises, Radisson, and Uber, to name just a few, have opened their doors to refugees in neighbouring countries donating rooms, transport, clothing, food, shelter, urgent supplies and financial contributions.

In Ukraine, hotels have continued to stay open offering a base to charities, journalists, and those stranded by the conflict.

Businesses across the global Travel & Tourism sector, including airports, airlines, cruise lines, and tour operators, are also going to extraordinary lengths to help alleviate the suffering of those affected, reports the WTTC, which adds that Russian invasion has caused the biggest displacement of people in Europe since the Second World War.

In addition to providing urgently needed accommodation, businesses large and small have made multi-million dollar donations to disaster relief funds which have been supplemented by individual fund-raising initiatives.

“There has been an outpouring of support from travel and tourism companies across the globe,” says WTTC President & CEO Julie Simpson. “Hotels have opened their doors receiving refugees, and in Ukraine, teams on the ground are keeping hotels open for aid agencies, journalists, and those stranded and desperate. Cruise lines and airlines have transported supplies, and across the board the response has been incredible, and I salute the courage of teams on the ground.

“WTTC and our Members stand for peace and respecting the national sovereignty of every nation and our hearts go out to all those who are suffering from this brutal invasion.”

Many companies around the world have generously matched their employees’ contributions to support charities providing help through emergency aid and essential supplies and temporary accommodation has been arranged thanks to generous travel and tourism employees opening their homes to provide emergency shelter. And Airbnb came up with creative solutions to get money into the hands of local people.

Much needed medical and hospital supplies have also been provided by businesses’ donations through various charities around the world.