The Line will be more resort than real city, says consultant for Saudi Arabia's Neom

Despite 481 orders from airlines around the world, Boeing can't sell US carriers on its new widebody jetliner.

Good morning from Skift. It’s Thursday, August 29, and here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.

Attention, travel enthusiasts: Delta SkyMiles has launched a limited-time SkyMiles promotion on both domestic and international fares. However, don't wait to plan your trip — you must book by Aug. 29 to snag one of these lucrative deals.

London is in its global hotel brand era: In the last year, it’s added a Raffles, a Peninsula and a second Mandarin Oriental; a Waldorf Astoria, a St. Regis and a Six Senses are on their way. This new guard is taking over historical icons and throwing up gleaming towers, and it’s upping the ante on amenities, too. A posh afternoon tea is no longer enough, it seems; now, five-stars come with signature scents, subterranean spas, museum-worthy art and long-stay residences. Rooftop bars, a rarity here a decade ago, are now seemingly obligatory (Bar 33 at the Emory wins for views, with everything from Big Ben to Battersea Power Station in its sights). But there’s still room for the occasional independent hotel, like the Broadwick, a maximalist love letter to the owner Noel Hayden’s hotelier parents and the creative Soho of the ’90s in which he came of age. “It’s a bit of a sensory overload,” Hayden says. Naturally, there’s a rooftop bar there, too.

“An unexplored territory….Untouched. Uncharted.” That’s the message in Saudi Arabia’s new global tourism campaign to attract overseas travelers to the kingdom.

Sri Lanka is set to launch a six-month pilot program on October 1, offering free 30-day tourist visas on arrival to citizens from 35 countries, including the U.S., UK, Russia, India and China. The initiative, which temporarily waives the typical $50 visa fee, aligns with the island nation’s peak travel season, lasting from December to mid-April. This move is part of a broader strategy to revitalize tourism, a sector crucial to Sri Lanka’s economy.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Scarlett Kiaras-Attari, a marketing executive and education content creator who moved to the UK for her studies. It has been edited for length and clarity.

Tensions are growing between two of Europe's top budget airlines after the Ryanair CEO called Wizz Air's unlimited flights pass a "marketing scam."

Oman Air is replacing its first-class cabin for specific routes, joining a growing list of carriers to do so. The replacement is called “Business Studio” and will initially feature on London and Bangkok routes.

Abu Dhabi stands out as a top choice for long-haul Russian travellers, driven by a significant rise in seat availability for the second half of 2024. Insights from Mabrian, part of The Data Appeal Company, reveal the capital of UAE is among their top choices in GCC destinations, where Russian visitors are opting for luxury accommodations in stays that tend to be extended, providing the Abu Dhabi with a unique opportunity to enhance its economic impact through targeted marketing and strategic investment in this growing market. According to the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR), Russian outbound travel increased by 14% in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, driven by long-haul destinations like the United Arab Emirates. As per FSB Borders Service data, nearly a million Russian travellers visited the UAE, an 11% increase from 2023, making it the second most visited country by Russians.

It’s official. Global air traffic has not only reached pre-pandemic levels but is now tracking above 2019 figures. With more passengers flying, many airlines have restored their international route network to full strength. 

This is an as-told-to essay based on a conversation with Helene Sula , a travel blogger and author of "Two O'Clock on a Tuesday at Trevi Fountain: A Search for an Unconventional Life Abroad."