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.

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Short-Term Rentals

Vacasa Says Travelers Are More Fickle in Vacation Rental Bookings

These things we know are true: Travelers change their booking patterns in response to changes in prices and weather. Travel companies change their finance chiefs when profit is elusive.

Sean O'Neill | 3 years ago

Online Travel

Trivago Gets New CEO and Leadership

Travel metasearch company Trivago said on Tuesday that Johannes Thomas had become CEO and Managing Director, succeeding Axel Hefer, as the company struggles to return to its pre-IPO glory days.

Sean O'Neill | 3 years ago

Hotels

Choice Hotels Propelled by Guests Blending Business and Leisure

Choice Hotels has defied U.S. economic uncertainty. One reason? The blended travel trend has extended its stay post-pandemic.

Sean O'Neill | 3 years ago

Hotels

U.S. Hotel Companies Promote More Women, But Challenges Persist

Women in hospitality leadership have made strides in representation in marketing and human resources roles, finds a major U.S. study. But hotel companies must do better, especially for other chief roles.

Sean O'Neill | 3 years ago

Hotels

IHG CEO Keith Barr to Leave Legacy of Expanding Hotel Group’s Competitiveness

From adding luxury, lifestyle, and resort brands to boosting the company's ground game in China and the U.S., Keith Barr will leave a wide-ranging legacy from his half-dozen years as CEO of IHG when he departs in June.

Sean O'Neill | 3 years ago

Hotels

Melia Hotels and UAE Investor May Sign $1 Billion Joint Venture

Spain-based hotel group Melia has been looking for partners to grow, and it may have found one in the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority.

Sean O'Neill | 3 years ago

Online Travel

Booking Holdings Sees Next-Gen AI as Advancing the Connected Trip

Any changes the next wave of artificial intelligence might bring will not be instantaneous. Booking Holdings has time to act to sustain its current position in online travel.

Sean O'Neill | 3 years ago

Hotels

Hyatt Hotels Sees 2023 as Breakout Year for Europe and China

If you thought Europe's premium hotels were packed last year, you haven't seen anything yet, Hyatt's executives say. They're also rightly optimistic about Asia Pacific's recovery.

Sean O'Neill | 3 years ago

Hotels

Resort Fees at U.S. Hotel Group Haven’t Grown Since 2019

News this week that Marriott will make resort fees more fully transparent upfront in the search results of its website and mobile app drew focus once again to the topic…

Sean O'Neill | 3 years ago

Hotels

Marriott Not Too Worried About U.S. Hotel Financing Tightening

Hotels are ordinarily a leading signal for recessions, with vacancies piling up ahead of national economies sagging. But the world's largest hotel company sees no problems so far, despite signs of weakening elsewhere.

Sean O'Neill | 3 years ago