TORONTO — More travel companies have announced operational updates in response to the crisis in Ukraine.

Collette, Holland America Line and Sabre are the latest companies to either cease or amend operations in impacted areas, following Russia’s military invasion of neighbouring Ukraine on Feb. 24. Last week, several cruise lines, including NCLH, Atlas Ocean Voyages and Royal Caribbean issued operational updates, while tour operators like G Adventures announced the cancellation of all tours in Russia.

On Feb. 27, the Government of Canada also announced the closure of airspace to all Russian aircraft.

COLLETTE

Collette is ceasing tours in Russia and withdrawing from all other business interests in Russia in support of “freedom and a peaceful resolution.” Noting that the majority of its European tours operate at a distance from where the conflict is, the company does not expect any significant impact on tour operations in 2022.

“Our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine and we stand with them in support of freedom, a sincere hope for peace and a rapid de-escalation of this conflict,” said Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, President of Collette. “We are committed to taking care of the places where we travel and will be announcing a commitment through our philanthropic arm to support humanitarian organizations on the ground to help those impacted by the crisis in Ukraine.”

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE

The cruise line is modifying six cruise itineraries that were originally scheduled to visit Russian ports this year. “We stand for peace and our thoughts are with those who are in harm’s way,” reads a company statement.

Replacement ports vary by itinerary. The five sailings that would have visited St. Petersburg, Russia will instead call on Baltic ports such as Riga, Latvia; Klaipeda, Lithuania; and Visby, Sweden, while also adding an overnight stay in Stockholm, Sweden.

The cruise that was scheduled to visit Vladivostok, Russia will instead visit Busan (Pusan), South Korea.

Booked guests and their travel advisors will receive notice of the changes as soon as that process is complete. Holland America will continue to monitor the situation and make additional changes, if needed.

PRINCESS CRUISES

Princess is modifying itineraries on 24 cruises that call in St. Petersburg, Russia with alternative ports. Replacement ports will vary by itinerary, including popular destinations such as Stockholm, Sweden (overnight call); Visby, Sweden; and Gdansk (Gydnia), Poland.

“The safety and security of guests is the company’s highest priority, and Princess will continue updating impacted guests and travel advisors as more information is available,” reads a company statement.

Princess will protect travel agent commission on bookings that were paid in full.

For the most up-to-date information for booked guests affected by these changed, click here.

SABRE & REACTION FROM BRUCE POON TIP

Bruce Poon Tip, founder of G Adventures, issued a statement following the news that Sabre has removed Aeroflot, Russia’s national carrier, from its reservations system. Here is his statement in full:

“The power to have the most dramatic impact in travel right now lies in the hands of one company, and yesterday they stepped up and did the right thing. That company is Sabre, the reservations system for Russia’s national carrier, Aeroflot. Without Sabre, Aeroflot is unable to issue tickets, which will cause mass disruption for domestic travel in Russia.

“All across the travel industry, businesses are uniting and cancelling tours to Russia and, in the case of G Adventures, banning resident Russian nationals from trips in order to apply internal pressure and invoke change. This is exactly what we need to come together in travel to embrace our ability to be a transformational industry.

“No less than a few hours before the announcement, I was set to click send on an appeal to Sabre, asking them to stop their support of Aeroflot and realize their potential as a key player in the travel industry’s fight against this unjust war.

“Russia has a thriving domestic travel market, serving leisure and corporate travellers and carrying people to do business as well as on vacation. Having already been cut off from the world of international travel, it is at home that the Russian people will feel the most pressure and become increasingly frustrated with this regime.

“This maneuver from Sabre is vital, as we need everyday people to rise up and fight for their everyday freedoms. Without Sabre, internal travel becomes extremely difficult and this is an incredible example of the leadership our industry needs to apply essential pressure internally.

“The Russian government needs to know that every industry, including travel and tourism, stands against its actions and will support any and all sanctions that seek to protect Ukraine’s sovereignty, freedom and independence.

“SWIFT has banned Russian banks, historically neutral Switzerland has frozen Russian assets and even FIFA has stepped up. Industries all around us are fighting in their own way, wielding their individual power and influence. It is so important that travel plays its part alongside these movements to drive transformative change.

“I’m acutely aware that sanctions impact everyday people, and as heartbreaking as it is to implement them – we must, we have to. The only solution now is to apply pressure within Russia and force its citizens to demand the kind of comfort and convenience travel provides, above the atrocities of war and the propaganda designed to justify these unthinkable acts.

“As you may have read, earlier this week I sent a heartfelt message informing our travellers, partners and international media of the actions we have taken to support Ukraine. We have cancelled all trips to Russia and are no longer allowing Russian nationals residing inside the country on our tours, nor are we taking bookings from Russian travel agencies. The show of love and support for our stance has been overwhelming so thank you to everyone who took the time to respond to me personally. It is incredibly encouraging and motivating to know so many people stand behind these kinds of decisions and want to help us fight for what is right.

“Will we do enough? Only history will tell. What I do know is we all need to be part of the solution to a faster, more peaceful resolution.”