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.

Online Travel

Loyalty Tech Vendor Points.com Anticipates a Travel Rewards Boom

Full-priced travel may be the new black, and loyalty programs can be an effective way to encourage people to pay full price. A dynamic like that theoretically could be good news for loyalty tech vendors such as Points International.

Sean O'Neill | 5 years ago

Online Travel

Travelport Streamlines Technology and Marketing Message

Travelport's changed approach to its tech stack will be invisible to the typical traveler. But if the changes deliver on their promise, they will help travel agencies be more efficient. Travelport's new marketing effort is also notably rare for an enterprise technology company in any industry.

Sean O'Neill | 5 years ago

Bob W Tallinn Telliskivi studio apartment hotel travel startup source Bob W

Online Travel

Bob W Raises $11 Million for Apartment Hotels: Travel Startup Funding This Week

Let's be real. How could you not be curious about an apartment hotel that's branded Bob W? Plus, other travel startup funding news.

Sean O'Neill | 5 years ago

nord collection apartment hotel source nord collection

Online Travel

Short-Term Rental Sector Sees More Consolidation as Tech Startup Guesty Buys Rival MyVR

Venture capitalists see compelling prospects in startups that serve property rental businesses. The latest merger among these startups underscores the broader boom in short-term rentals and vacation rentals.

Sean O'Neill | 5 years ago

Coronavirus

90 Percent of Global Travelers Would Embrace Health Passports to Jumpstart Travel: Amadeus Study

It's interesting to hear that travelers are open to digital health passports, once the right safeguards are in place to protect their data. But it still remains unclear who will pay for and manage the vaccination certifications.

Sean O'Neill | 5 years ago

Emirates' new A380 with premium economy seats

Coronavirus

Emirates Wants to Shake Up Ticket Sales Through Closer Ties to Travel Agencies

Emirates is one of the largest airlines yet to try to shake up how tickets are sold worldwide. Sabre is at the negotiation table to avoid a content cutoff in July, while other tech partners and travel agencies are still figuring out how to adapt to the new commercial model.

Sean O'Neill | 5 years ago

Heathrow airport uk travel source heathrow airport

Tourism

UK Aims to Restart Some International Travel for Britons by May 17

Britons will have to wait a bit longer to find out where they can travel starting May 17. But it seems likely they'll have to consider different destinations than their past preferences, given that the UK government seems likely to loosen restrictions for countries with high vaccination rates.

Sean O'Neill | 5 years ago

prague-airport march 2021 source prague airport

Airlines

Prague Revamps Airport to Be Friendlier to Remote Workers Flying for Team Meetings

Prague's airport has debuted new perks and processes to boost its appeal as a transfer and stopover hub. The Czech capital hopes to attract more off-site gatherings and business retreats.

Sean O'Neill | 5 years ago

Multiracial crowd of people walking at railway station platform adobe

Coronavirus

Fully Vaccinated Americans Get Green Light to Travel Within U.S.: Health Officials

The U.S. domestic travel industry can rejoice at this next phase in the domestic travel recovery. A shot in the arm, so to speak.

Sean O'Neill | 5 years ago

the guild hotel apartment travel startups source the guild

Online Travel

The Guild Raises $19 Million for Hotel-Like Rental Stays: Travel Startup Funding This Week

This week, nine travel startups announced more than $100 million in funding altogether. The Guild and Mint House raked in some of that money for blending short-term rentals with hotel-like stays, while Eola and Redeam bet on experiences sector tech. Plus, more news.

Sean O'Neill | 5 years ago