The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) said that it would provide millions in room nights, cash, and rewards to help those affected by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
AHLA members have donated or pledged to donate up to one million hotel nights, $2 million, and over 110 million reward points in response to the humanitarian catastrophe in Ukraine.
Marriott International announced that it has set aside $1 million for its associate relief fund to help associates affected by the Ukraine conflict. In addition, it is hosting refugees at its locations in adjacent countries. Additionally, Marriott Bonvoy members can donate points here to join in supporting UNICEF and World Central Kitchen as they help those impacted by the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and neighboring countries. Marriott Bonvoy will be matching donations point-for-point up to 100 million points donated this year.
In addition, IHG Hotels & Resorts made a $500,000 donation to CARE International and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to aid people in need.
Best Western Hotels & Resorts has made a donation through its charitable arm, Best Western for a Better World to the United Nations World Food Program for the purpose of providing humanitarian aid and assistance to those impacted by the crisis.
Accor activated its dedicated financial vehicle, the ALL Heartist Fund, to support its teams and families in the region. In addition, Accor’s endowment fund Heartist Solidarity is partnering with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to collect employees’ donations that will be topped-up by Accor.
“The situation in Ukraine is harrowing, and our hearts ache for the innocent lives lost and impacted by the violence there,” AHLA President Chip Rogers said. “As we pray for a peaceful and swift end to the war, the hotel industry has stepped up with significant humanitarian relief efforts, including offering housing to refugees and donating to relief organizations.”
Officials from Hyatt said the firm received over $300,000 in donations for its Ukraine Relief Fund, which will help impacted Hyatt employees with essentials, relocation assistance, and care.
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has donated $100,000 and one million Wyndham Rewards points to Save the Children’s humanitarian relief operations. In addition, Choice Hotels has announced that it will match up to $50,000 in member donations.
Hilton representatives stated that the firm would donate up to one million room nights. The Hilton Effect Foundation has also contributed $50,000 to World Central Kitchen and Project Hope to further assist with humanitarian aid.
Red Roof is donating to United Way’s United for Ukraine Fund to support the vital work to help people who have fled the violence, looking for safety and desperate for hope. United Way is working with trusted partners on the ground in Romania, Hungary, and Poland, to address the immediate needs of those escaping the violence.
“The spirit of hospitality is what drives us as an industry, and in dark times like these, it’s one of the things the world needs most,” Rogers continued. “I’m proud of the many ways the hotel industry is helping to fulfil that need.”
Some of the top hotel corporations issued statements earlier this month detailing the changes they’ve made to their businesses due to the crisis, including halting development and closing offices in Russia.
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