The toll of civilian casualties from the war in Ukraine stands at more than 1,500, with 549 killed and 957 injured according to figures released Thursday by the United Nations.
But the agency says it believes
the actual death toll is “considerably higher” – and certainly the tragic and
devastating impacts, from both a humanitarian and economic perspective, are much
more widespread.
It has been more than two weeks since
Russia invaded its neighboring country, initiating the largest conventional military attack on a sovereign state in
Europe since World War II.
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Many
companies in the travel and tourism industry have responded, including global
distribution systems blocking fares from Aeroflot, companies including
Tripadvisor, Expedia and Booking blocking
sales from Russian suppliers, Google announcing yesterday it is pausing ads
for all Russia-based advertisers and Hilton, Airbnb
and others initiating programs to aid refugees.
To discuss the impact, both now and in the longer
term if the crisis continues, PhocusWire convened leaders from across
the industry for an online event Thursday, called PhocusWire Flash: Crisis in Ukraine.
Joining PhocusWire's Kevin May were Julia Simpson, CEO of
the World Travel and Tourism Council; Brian Hoyt, head of global communications
and industry affairs at Tripadvisor; and Nikita Dedik, founder and CEO of
Road.Travel.
Watch the entire discussion below...