EDITOR'S COMMENT
• Two weeks ago, Ukraine was marking its annual Independence Day - as well as the six-month anniversary of the Russian invasion. However, over in the UK, the government is making an urgent call for more people to join the Homes for Ukraine scheme and take those fleeing the war into their homes.
It is clearly a delicate situation, punctuated by the surging cost of living crisis across Europe as more people show reticence to join or stay in the scheme as their bills rise at unprecedented rates. On the other hand, outgoing Refugees Minister Richard Harrington, who launched the host appeal, has called for monthly payments for hosts [who have been housing Ukrainian refugees for six months] to double from £350 to £700 to support hosts and guests alike, as the risk of a homelessness crisis grows.
Since the war began in February, companies and organisations have stepped up with initiatives to support those fleeing the conflict, from Airbnb.org housing 100,000+ refugees to HomeToGo's Ukraine Relief page and Stay the Night and BudgetTraveller's Hospitality for Ukraine directory. The short-term rental sector demonstrated its nimbleness throughout the pandemic to accommodate emergency workers and displaced employees but it is evident that hosts require more financial support to back up their desire to help those in need.
To sign up to the Homes for Ukraine scheme, whether you are a UK host offering accommodation to a refugee or a Ukrainian refugee looking for a UK sponsor, click here. To apply for a Ukraine Family Scheme visa, click here.
• Our RockSTRz webinars are back for their sixth series next week [13 September, 4pm BST] as we kick off with a discussion on "Upsell to scale up: Fresh revenue streams for STRs".
We have assembled another selection of expert panellists as we examine the economic benefits of upselling for professional property managers, how the overall guest experience is being elevated and potential future revenue streams to take advantage of.
Join Annie Munro Sloan [The Host Co.], Eric Broughton [OK2Charge], Matt Loney [Xplorie], Marc Hostovsky [Minoan] and I by signing up for the no-cost session at this link.
• Please click here if you have a story you want us to tell the industry, or would like to be considered for a feature, podcast or webinar.
For more information and sponsorship / creative solutions advice, contact us at info@internationalhospitality.media.
