Scott Murray the co-director of Inverness-based Murray Travel highlights a different way to help people in Ukraine by booking on Airbnb so the owners get all the money
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An Inverness businessman is highlighting an innovative way of helping the people in Ukraine who are enduring the Russian invasion.
Scott Murray, co-director of Murray Travel, heard about it from one of his travel agent friends.
He booked a stay at a property in Kyiv, the capital city, this month meaning the proprietor would get all the money.
Mr Murray said: “A good industry friend of mine suggested it. As Airbnb have waived their fees, when we pay for the accommodation, the owner gets all of the money.
“The concept seems to have gone viral, with nearly every contact I have in the travel industry, and many of my own personal friends having opted to get involved.”
He said he thought it was an amazing way to show “solidarity and support” to those who are most in need. He added: “Aside from the obvious financial benefit, the message of hope and human kindness has been very well received with many messages of thanks being sent back to the UK.”
Mr Murray said he picked the apartment entirely at random and he chose it because it was not managed by a company but by an individual who would benefit directly.
He added: “I’ve sent them a message of support and told them I won’t be coming to Kyiv in Ukrainian using Google translate.”
Mr Murray has since received a response from PetovDom.
The message said: “Thank you so much for your support and help.
“We will use this money to help all those who need help in this difficult time – the elderly, women, children who stayed in Kyiv and need food, medicines and warm clothes etc.
“We have united a group of like-minded people and created a volunteer team that delivers everything people need.”
