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

MakeMyTrip Sees a Surge in Alternative Accommodations in India

Homestays and guest houses are still a small market in India, but it's mainly a problem of supply and not demand now. Investing in the country's alternative accommodations is a long-term bet, but the potential is large.

Sean O'Neill | 6 years ago

James Jianzhang Liang chairman cofounder Ctrip Trip Group boss livestream live stream source trip.com group

Online Travel

Travel Companies Adapt to a Livestreaming Trend That May Outlast the Pandemic

The pandemic rapidly sped up a trend in livestreams. But the early success of Trip.com Group's and Alibaba Group's Fliggy webcasts marketing travel suggests that the phenomenon is here to stay.

Sean O'Neill | 6 years ago

the pablo apartment rental in barcelona spain via oasis source oasis

Online Travel

Oasis Launches Subscriptions for Extended-Stay Apartment Rentals

Oasis is yet another example of how the travel sector has been testing the subscription model this year. But the company's on-again, off-again investment history with Accor, Hyatt, and Vacasa hints at a broader story. Blended hospitality with leisure travelers is difficult to do at scale.

Sean O'Neill | 6 years ago

Online Travel

RVShare Raises $100 Million for Recreational Vehicle Rentals: Travel Startup Funding This Week

This week, travel startups raised $125 million in funding for RV rentals, short-term rentals, pod hotels, travel agencies, and flight-free itineraries.

Sean O'Neill | 6 years ago

hotel zena washington dc source viceroy hotels and resorts

Online Travel

Expect Hotels to Mimic the Airline Payments Playbook as They Fight to Get Paid by Agencies

Many guests pay travel agencies in advance for hotel bookings. But some agencies hold the money until weeks after a guest has checked out. Many hoteliers want to get the payments sooner. They could learn a few tricks about that from airlines, which have tamed the payments monster.

Sean O'Neill | 6 years ago

BrandUSA online experience airbnb nick wallace Southern Tour October2019_LoganA_70 (1)

Online Travel

Promoting U.S. Tourism Outside the Country Through a Virtual Trade Show

The pandemic has created an opportunity for Brand USA to demonstrate its ability to drive immediate demand for tourism and meetings services once international travel resumes in earnest. Will the organization rise to the challenge?

Sean O'Neill | 6 years ago

Ritz Carlton Langkawi Island Source Ritz Carlton

Online Travel

Online Travel’s Traveloka Sees Signs for Hope in Southeast Asia Recovery

Traveloka says that transactions are back to pre-crisis levels in Thailand and Vietnam, two of its key markets. The resumption of domestic tourism is a hopeful sign for the sector.

Sean O'Neill | 6 years ago

snap lens carnaby street london october 2020 source snap

Experiences

Apple and Snap Offer Augmented Reality That Paints a Vision for Travel’s Virtual Future

Augmented reality will remain a seldom-used novelty for at least five years. But brands ignore the tech at their peril. Innovative travel companies may find chances today for cost-effective ad campaigns via the emerging medium.

Sean O'Neill | 6 years ago

Online Travel

Getaround Raises $140 Million for Car Sharing: Travel Startup Funding This Week

Travel startups announced more than $193 million in venture equity funding this week. It's reassuring to see funding rounds continue this many months into the pandemic, defying predictions of a dry spell.

Sean O'Neill | 6 years ago

Tourism

The Silver Lining to Asia’s Travel Recovery Will Be Who Learns the Most From This Pandemic, Says Global Strategist

A crisis can seem "unprecedented" if you haven't schooled yourself on what has happened elsewhere before. Expect Asia to be the center of the travel sector's recovery as some countries leapfrog others.

Sean O'Neill | 6 years ago