Workspace specialist IWG found many are now wishing to work from home on Mondays and Fridays owing to the greater flexibility afforded by employers during the pandemic.
Elsewhere, the US is set to reopen its land borders next month alongside plans to reopen its borders to international visitors, while former US president Donald Trump is selling up in Washington.
Here are the main national news headlines concerning travel on Wednesday 13 October.
Workers return to offices, but only in midweek
A poll by workspace specialist IWG has found most workers in London are choosing to stay at home on Monday and Friday. IWG found midweek visits to the office were up 50% over the last month, compared to just 12% and 20% on Mondays and Fridays respectively. Commuter numbers are around 35% higher on a Thursday than the start of the week, according to Transport for London. (CityAM)
US to reopen land borders
The US will reopen its land borders with Mexico and Canada to nonessential travel in November. The ending of the 19-month freeze due to the pandemic comes as the country moves to require all international visitors to be vaccinated against the coronavirus. (The Guardian)
Trump to sell flagship property
Donald Trump is in advanced talks to sell his lavish hotel in Washington for more than $370 million, after it emerged it had lost millions of dollars during his presidency. Miami-based investment firm CGI Merchant Group is poised to buy the lease on the Trump International Hotel Washington, a short walk from the White House. CGI is in talks with Hilton and Waldorf Astoria about removing Trump’s name from the building. (The Times)
UK hotel investment soars
Confidence in the hotel investment market looks to be improving in the UK, with buyers spending £935 million on sites in the last three months. The figure was more than treble what was recorded in the third quarter a year earlier and 20.6% higher than the same period pre-pandemic in 2019. (The Standard)
New Year’s Eve fireworks cancelled again
London has cancelled its spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks display for the second year due to the pandemic. Plans are in place for an alternative to the display, with details yet to be confirmed. (Metro)
