Sean O'Neill

Sean O’Neill is Skift’s Senior Hospitality Editor. Sean’s forte is reporting, and he’s broken multiple hotel industry scoops. He has also conducted 1:1 interviews on stage with the CEOs of Marriott, Hilton, IHG, Hyatt, and Wyndham.

a guest room at a luxury hotel, the Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique

Hotels

U.S. Hotels Face Zero Growth, Luxury-Budget Gap Widens

While hotel executives touted resilient business models and record development pipelines this earnings season, the underlying data showed an industry increasingly dependent on wealthy travelers.

Sean O'Neill | 10 months ago

a room at an extended stay america hotel in virginia

Business Travel

Extended Stay Hotels Are Stealing Share: See Where the Growth Is

Fresh data suggests extended stay hotels have found a sweet spot, stealing business from traditional hotels while maintaining pricing power.

Sean O'Neill | 10 months ago

Hotels

What’s Next for Accor if Ennismore IPOs and Orient Express Is Sold?

Accor has had at least 3 big re-orgs in a decade. Now it's fine-tuning strategy. Selling stakes in Ennismore and Orient Express could free up resources to more effectively battle the Marriotts of the world.

Sean O'Neill and Luke Martin | 10 months ago

Rendering of Andaz Gold Coast Pool Deck with the view of a pool outdoors

Hotels

Hyatt’s Luxury Focus and Going Asset Light: ‘Everything Is For Sale’

Hyatt is benefiting from luxury travel while competitors struggle with more budget-conscious customers. About 70% of its portfolio is in the top tier.

Sean O'Neill | 10 months ago

Exterior of a glass-walled hotel in the late evening

Hotels

Marriott’s Sluggish Q2: Flat U.S., Drop in Government Travel, Forecast Narrowed

Marriott has seen softness in revenue per available room, or RevPAR. But development pipelines and loyalty member gains could drive future growth.

Sean O'Neill | 10 months ago

people in the corporate travel industry walking around a trade room show floor

Business Travel

From Concur to Spotnana: Steve Singh on How AI Could Fix Corporate Travel

Corporate travel is still a nightmare of fragmented systems, which means that rebooking canceled flights can be headache-inducing. Yet Concur co-founder Steve Singh believes new tech could bring the dawn of "the perfect trip."

Sean O'Neill | 10 months ago

image of a bedroom in a hotel overlooking the city of Dubai

Business Travel

IHG Pursues Business Travelers Through Emirates and Other Deals

IHG's new deal with Emirates is as part of broader push to capture the underserved corporate segment. Expect more partnerships that offer fast-track loyalty status in exchange for direct bookings.

Sean O'Neill | 10 months ago

Image of the skyline of Las Vegas with the exterior of the MGM Grand in the forefront.

Hotels

Las Vegas Sees Midmarket Tourism Soften, Weighing on MGM Resorts

Las Vegas tourism is experiencing measurable softness in 2024, and it's affecting MGM Resorts.

Sean O'Neill | 10 months ago

Inside a train car on the Orient Express La Dolce Vita luxury train. LVMH is a new investor source accor

Hotels

LVMH Has Option for Full Control of Orient Express After Buying 50% Stake: Exclusive

It's far from a done deal, but a sale could make sense. Accor could potentially retain some of the benefits of Orient-Express without having to manage an ultra-luxury brand. LVMH would reduce brand confusion.

Sean O'Neill | 10 months ago

a person holding a phone with the Booking.com app open

Online Travel

Booking Holdings Builds on European and Asian Strength, While U.S. Lags

Booking Holdings sees many Americans remaining cautious about travel. The good news: It has less U.S. exposure than rivals Expedia and Airbnb.

Sean O'Neill | 10 months ago