The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has released a report revealing the lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the travel and tourism industry’s workforce. While the sector has seen a rebound in economic activity, women and young workers continue to face significant challenges in reentering the workforce, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
A staff report recommends the return of free on-street parking in London’s core area for economic recovery. The proposed program would offer a free 1-hour on-street parking program for the core area and a free 1-hour parking pilot program for two Old East Village lots until the end of 2024. The initiative, funded from the Economic Development Reserve Fund, aims to support businesses and improve parking plans in the core.
Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche reported a modest 2% increase in first-quarter sales, driven by demand for its newer medicines and diagnostics. However, excluding COVID-19 products, sales rose 7%. Despite reporting a 6% decline in local currency sales due to the strong Swiss franc, Roche CEO Thomas Schinecker remains optimistic about the company’s 2024 outlook. The company confirms its mid-single-digit growth forecast for the year.
