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.

brazil rio de janeiro city view dennis jarvis flickr creative commons

Hotels

Brazil’s Miles-Based Flight Seller MaxMilhas Buys a Hotel Discounter

Many bootstrapped travel companies may prove more innovative than venture-backed ones during the pandemic. MaxMilhas is an example, given its distinctive approaches to selling flights and hotels.

Sean O'Neill | 5 years ago

Online Travel

Plentywaka Raises $1.2 Million for African Mobility: Travel Startup Funding This Week

This week, Nigeria's Plentywaka, India's Oyo, and South Korea's GuideLive announced more than $7 million in funding collectively.

Sean O'Neill | 5 years ago

Tiket2.com A landscape of Flores island near Komodo Indonesia source tiket2 via flickr creative commons

Media and PR

45 Percent of Travel Marketers Say Ad Spending Won’t Return to Pre-Pandemic Level Until at Least 2025

A survey of travel marketers has uncovered a fresh eagerness to experiment with new methods. But the budgets for these new ways to advertise will be slow to return to 2019 levels.

Sean O'Neill | 5 years ago

beijing international airport 2019 dion hinchcliffe flickr creative commons

Tourism

Skift Global Forum Preview: Global Strategist Parag Khanna Spots the Forces Uprooting Travel

It's hip now to be bearish on international travel's long-term trajectory. But Parag Khanna has fascinating insights into why the travel industry is central to a new, more mobile phase of history.

Sean O'Neill | 5 years ago

Active Adventures Patagonia Condor Adventure

Experiences

New Zealand’s Active Adventures Acquires U.S. Tour Operator

Not surprising that the private equity-backed Active Adventures decided to buy Austin Adventures to fill its geographic and inventory gaps. Expect more mergers as tour operators look to consolidate their marketing efforts during the pandemic.

Sean O'Neill | 5 years ago

clear secure rings bell ipo new york stock exchange source NYSE

Coronavirus

Why 2021 Is the Year of the Travel IPO

So far this year, a dozen travel companies went public or made plans to do so. A couple of them may shine. But the odds are stacked against this year's IPOs, on average, over the long term. Find out why.

Sean O'Neill | 5 years ago

Arcimoto FUV fun utility vehicle electric Graduate Hotels Eugene source Arcimoto

Experiences

The Latest Hotel Perk? Renting Electric Fun Utility Vehicles as Upsells

Years ago, leisure travelers typically rented cars at the airport. But many now hail rides to hotels instead. That behavior shift gives properties a chance to rent out electric vehicles.

Sean O'Neill | 5 years ago

Online Travel

Breeze Airways Raises $200 Million: Travel Startup Funding This Week

Travel startups raised more than $390 million in funding this week for concepts such as launching a budget airline, enabling influencers to sell trips, and making it easier to book European campsites, Korean hotels, and Saudi short-term rentals.

Sean O'Neill | 5 years ago

Tourism

Travel’s Fastest Growing U.S. Small Businesses Offer a Glimpse Into These Emerging Trends

The pandemic catapulted a few niche innovations into widespread use, benefiting a few fast-moving travel businesses. Lists come and go, but pay attention to the underlying trends that will last after the crisis passes.

Sean O'Neill | 5 years ago

Online Travel

Travel Tech Firm RateGain to List as a Public Company in India

RateGain, a 15-year-old travel tech firm, wants to position itself for growth post-pandemic by raising capital. Its private equity sponsor TA Associates also wants a payday, and no wonder.

Sean O'Neill | 5 years ago