Friday, Nov 01, 2024 10:33AM

This Norwegian Billionaire Is Donating 5,000 Nights In His Hotels To Refugees

This Norwegian Billionaire Is Donating 5,000 Nights In His Hotels To Refugees

Norwegian billionaire Petter Stordalen offered 5,000 free nights in his hotel chain to refugees and said that in the past week he has already taken in at least 50 refugees in 35 rooms at his Quality Hotel Airport Gardermoen, outside Oslo.

“The world is seeing the biggest humanitarian crisis in Europe since World War 2,” Stordalen said. ”It’s impossible not to be affected by the human tragedy and by what’s occurring in the Middle East.”

Stordalen has a net worth of $1.5 billion and owns Scandinavia’s largest hotel chain, Nordic Choice Hotels. He said he initially made his offer in April while being interviewed by a local Norwegian news channel regarding Europe’s refugee crisis.

“Last week the offer became relevant because suddenly the director of immigration called me and told me that they had difficulties providing a place to sleep for 50 refugees that night that had just arrived from Syria,” Stordalen said. That same night his staff mobilized rooms for the refugees.

Asked whether concerns of ISIS terrorists slipping in among refugees are legitimate, Stordalen said he and his hotel staff are working closely with the police and such concerns won’t stop him from helping refugees who need a place to sleep. “They can’t sleep in the streets,” he said.

Stordalen said refugees that have stayed in his hotel typically arrived late at night and after being treated to a meal were shown into their rooms like regular guests.

Story From: The Economist

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