Airbnb and Ukraine sign joint memorandum of understanding to support post-war tourism

Airbnb and the State Agency for Tourism Development of Ukraine have signed a joint memorandum on the post-war period. To this end, the Head of the State Agency for Tourism Development in Ukraine, Mariana Oleskiv, and Airbnb co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer Nathan Blecharczyk met at the Consulate General of Ukraine in Munich. After the end of the war, tourism in Ukraine should be supported again.

“Airbnb’s initiative to provide free temporary housing to 130,000 refugees from Ukraine was a significant support for us. After the victory, we would like to express our gratitude and show our hospitality by inviting the whole world that stands by Ukraine to visit us. The Memorandum of Understanding signed today actually proves our intentions to jointly restore the tourism
industry of our country.”

Mariana Oleskiv, Head of the State Agency for Tourism Development in Ukraine

“Hosts on Airbnb are the heart of our community. This, of course, includes Hosts in Ukraine. Although minimal tourism is possible in Ukraine today, it is important to set the course for the post-war period now. With this joint memorandum, Airbnb commits to support tourism in Ukraine at the end of the war – this is a strong sign for our community on the ground.”

Nathan Blecharczyk, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer Airbnb

More than 130,000 refugees have been housed to date

Since the start of the war against Ukraine, Airbnb.org has helped more than 130,000 people find free and temporary accommodation. These stays were funded by Airbnb, Inc. and other Airbnb.org donors, as well as hosts who offered free and discounted stays through Airbnb.org. 

This work was also made possible by Airbnb.org’s partner NGOs, which helped book and coordinate stays for refugees. Airbnb.org has worked with more than 40 organizations around the world to provide temporary housing for people fleeing Ukraine. 

In Germany, Airbnb is working with PHINEO, among others, to support the Ukraine Response Incubator program this November. Airbnb is also cooperating with Ukraine Hilfe Berlin. On the occasion of the first anniversary of the war in Ukraine, Airbnb organized a Breakfast & Learn together with the organization, raising funds for Ukraine. 

Since Q2 2023, the western Ukrainian city of Lviv has also been using the City Portal, so there is already a first partnership with a Ukrainian city for data exchange. The City Portal’s technology offers governments and tourism organizations data insights, remitted tourist tax revenue, compliance tools, and centralized access to the Airbnb Neighborhood Support hotline. More than 300 cities and tourism organizations have partnered with Airbnb to access the City Portal.

Last year, Airbnb worked with The Sputniks, Bienvenida, Karuna and United for Ukraine. Some of them specifically cater to minorities, such as children with disabilities and their families.