The Ukrainian hotel group Ribas Hotel Group consists of 26 hotels with about 1,000 rooms and 500 employees. It is number one in Ukraine and has also opened a new property in Poland. In this period of war, far from giving up, its director Artur Lupashko wants to keep doing business.
The group founded by Artur Lupashko had recently launched the development of apartment hotels which had been very successful. The properties in Eastern Ukraine are all closed but those in areas further West and South of the fighting have remained open. The hotels that are open are taking in refugees at nominal rates to provide them with food and shelter.
Artur Lupashko has insisted on keeping his 500 employees, some of whom are on standby because they have been mobilised in the fighting. He appeals to European hoteliers to encourage them to give work to his employees with whom he keeps in touch and who wish to continue working in the hotel business.
"Our employees are efficient and well trained. I would rather have good people who are likely to leave than bad people who stay with the company. As we all know, our business is based on human contact. I hope that my employees will have the opportunity to continue working in our sector."
He also emphasises the desire of his group and the investors he supports to continue developing new projects, primarily outside Ukraine. The funds are available, as are the skills, all that remains is to find opportunities.
"I want Ribas Hotel Group to be recognised as a brand and for our skills in project development and property management. We are very popular in Ukraine and I hope that speaking out will also help other hoteliers in Ukraine and our employees. I call on my fellow European hoteliers who are hiring to contact me and also remain open to any project opportunities."
