The European Travel Commission stands in solidarity with the Ukrainian people. The Russian military invasion in Ukraine is in direct opposition to the fundamental values of the European project and should stop immediately. ETC strongly condemns this violation of international law and calls for all parties to work towards a peaceful resolution.
The founding principle of ETC is to promote travel as a catalyst for peace, understanding and respect. This original mission is as valid today as it was when our organisation was established more than 70 years ago in the aftermath of World War II. We remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring travel continues to build bridges between different cultures and people.
ETC stands ready to support the Ukrainian people fleeing conflict. We praise the ongoing efforts of our members and industry partners to provide transportation, shelter and food to Ukrainian refugees. There are countless examples of the outpouring of support including our colleagues in Lithuania who launched a webpage and a hotline service for Ukrainian citizens in need of advice about relocating to Vilnius. Meanwhile, ETC's associate member Airbnb is offering free accommodation for up to 100,000 Ukrainians displaced by the war. Another inspiring example is train operators from many European countries who expressed solidarity and offered free travel to Ukrainian refugees. We will continue working with the travel community to develop and further promote initiatives across Europe to help the people of Ukraine.
Our thoughts are with our travel and tourism colleagues in Ukraine, whose livelihoods have been needlessly destroyed. ETC is also mindful that this conflict will negatively impact the travel and tourism sectors of neighbouring countries, which were slowly recovering from the COVID-19 crisis. ETC is working together with the European Commission, and other European stakeholders, to mitigate the short and medium-term consequences and support affected colleagues.
Travel is a force of peace towards a better future, and no aggression should stop it. European destinations remain safe to travel to.
![Tryzub svatého Vladimíra (zlatý trojzubec na modrém poli). Vladimír byl nejmladším synem knížete Svjatoslava I. z rodu Rurikovců, nenarodil se však v manželském loži. Roku 969 se kníže Svjatoslav rozhodl žít trvale na Balkáně, proto svěřil správu Kyjevské Rusi svým synům. Nejstaršímu Jaropolkovi předal vládu v Kyjevě, Olegovi u Drevljanů a Vladimírovi ve vzdáleném Novgorodě, o nějž neměli jeho bratří zájem. Po Svjatoslavově smrti v roce 972 vypukly mezi Jaropolkem a Olegem neshody. Výsledkem bylo Olegovo zabití roku 977. Poté se Jaropolk ujal vlády také v drevljanské zemi. Mladičký a zatím jen málo zkušený Vladimír se obával, že jeho starší bratr má v úmyslu ho zabít a ujmout se vlády na celé Rusi, proto se vydal se do Švédska pro pomoc. Stejně jako Jaropolk, toužil také Vladimír stát se jediným vládcem. Roku 980 se vrátil na Rus v doprovodu najatého varjažského vojska a zmocnil se Novgorodu. Poté dobyl Polock, kde vládl varjažský kníže Ragnvald I., zabil ho a donutil jeho dceru Rognědu, aby se za něj provdala. Zmocnit se Kyjeva nebylo těžké, neboť Jaropolk město opustil. Byl však ochoten vyjednávat. Odebral se proto do Vladimírova tábora, kde ho zabili varjagové. Poté se Vladimír stal jediným vládcem Kyjevské Rusi a zavedl zde křesťanství. Ukrajina, státní znak.](/zobrazit-obrazek?fileid=80783)
About ETC
The European Travel Commission represents the national tourism organisations of Europe. Established in 1948, ETC's mission is to strengthen the sustainable development of Europe as a tourist destination and to promote Europe in third markets. Its 34-member tourism boards work together to build the value of tourism for all the diverse European destinations through cooperation in sharing best practice, market intelligence and promotion.
INFO: European Travel Commission