Ohio business travel company helping to extricate people in danger from Ukraine

NEW ALBANY, Ohio (WSYX) — The reality of the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, but a Central Ohio business travel company is having a hand in helping to extricate hundreds of people to safety from the war-torn country.

New Albany-based ATG Travel Worldwide not only helped clients relocate but assisted others who were in danger with logistics like transportation and a place to stay.

Anna, the owner of the travel group in Ukraine said the Russian invasion created a situation they had never faced before.

There was widespread panic as they started to receive requests for help fleeing the country.

“Some of them wanted to escape immediately from the country,” Anna, who worked in shelters as bombs exploded and there was gunfire nearby, said. “It was scary, but it was our reality.”

Alin, a business development manager for ATG Romania and the Republic of Moldova, provided support to the ATG team in Ukraine.

“All of our colleagues in Ukraine are fighters. They haven’t stopped working, even when the bombs were actually falling they were working in the basement. We got involved really quickly helping partners from other travel management companies, and international ones who needed somebody on the spot. There is no place for rivalry in these situations. So we helped from the very first day," Alin said.

Alin and Anna agree there’s a new reality and it’s going to be a long war. They’re trying to help Ukraine businesses re-build.

“Those people need revenue. And we worked together trying to save people and businesses,” Alin said.

Tammy Krings, Chief Executive Officer of ATG, said “it’s very sobering. Because you know it’s lives and livelihoods that are at stake.”

“You don’t have time to think. And it’s a 24/7 job. We were never off the clock so to speak. We are always at a heightened level of anxiety. But knowing that, you have to keep calm. The people on the other end are looking for calm from somebody. The people of Ukraine are fighters. They were never thinking of giving up," Krings said.

Almost 6 million people have escaped Ukraine. The humanitarian effort is still going on.

“We were getting a lot of suppliers who were providing transportation for free, were providing hotel rooms for free. Health care,” Krings said.

“Life is going on. You know this war pushed me to re-think many things in life,” Anna said.

And value many many things. Much more than before.

Anna said seeing the support and the Ukrainian flag fly across America feels good. “It reunited us. I mean Ukrainians as a nation. It was like a miracle,” Anna said.

Krings is concerned there is apathy developing as the war that began in February 2022 drags on.

“The initial sensation of a war breaking out has started to not be as dramatic, not be as concerning. And that is very worrisome. We don’t want it to feel normal,” Krings said.

“You know what the most important for us? To not feel alone with this problem, this disaster,” Anna said.

Krings said they pray, as does the world that hostilities will soon end.