Sarah Archer, UK sales manager for Beachcomber Tours, shared the idea on Facebook, and thanked social media influencer Dean Nicholson – better known as 1bike1world – for the idea.

"I saw the idea and thought, ’yeah, I like that’, so I did the same," Archer told TTG. "We all want to try and do something for the people of Ukraine.

"It could have been all or any of us. One minute you’re letting your apartment to tourists, the next minute you’re in a war zone. Supporting local communities and tourism is at the heart of our industry." 

Archer found an available apartment in Kyiv, owned by a private individual rather than a company, and booked a one-night stay for £45. Airbnb usually takes around a 14-16% fee, with the rest of the money going directly to the owner of the property.

Using Google Translate, Archer messaged the property owner and told them she would not be attending, adding the gesture was designed to send a message of "strength and support" and help them buy essential items.

"I’ve donated to the Red Cross, I’ve also donated a little bit to an animal charity – but this struck a chord with me because we’re in the travel industry," Archer continue. "I just thought, ’actually, I can help someone on the ground I don’t know’ as random act of kindness.

"It would be lovely if Airbnb was to waive its fees for anyone with a property in Kyiv as a nice gesture, and I would absolutely encourage other people to do it if they can. Why not? It’s a human gesture to another human being who is facing very different circumstances to yourself."

Go Cruise and Travel with Graham owner, Graham Macrides, was inspired by Archer’s gesture and decided to do the same by booking a one-night stay at an apartment in Kyiv for £28. "We need to have solidarity with the awful things that are going on in Ukraine at the moment," Macrides told TTG. "You can’t wish that on anybody.

"The biggest thing is that although there are a lot of giving pages, it’s very difficult to give directly. This way it gets money in people’s pockets on the ground. Anything we can give to these people will be beneficial compared with the length of time it will take for aid to get to them."

Macrides, who has approached Airbnb to ask it to waive its fees for privately-owned Ukrainian rentals, said the husband of the property owner is currently fighting in the war in Ukraine.

"To me, it was no brainer," he added. "If you can do it, do it. No one knows what to do, and if this does escalate more than it already has, it could also have a massive impact on the travel industry.

"The fact something as stupid as this, having to buy accommodation in Ukraine, just to be able to give someone in need some money is crazy.

"Of course, GoFundMe and all of that is great, and in the long-term it will be able to support Ukraine, but I thought this idea would get the money to them straight away."

The Red Cross is leading an international effort to raise money for those affected by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and provide aid. You can find out more about the Red Cross appeal here.