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.

Hotels

Winning and Losing Countries in the Hotel Revenue-Per-Room Race

Among countries of significant size, Israel, Singapore, France, and the United Arab Emirates recently led in revenue per available room, a sign of performance. Plus, this week's hotel deal and development news from worldwide.

Sean O'Neill | 3 years ago

Lake Placid Common Areas bluebird by lark lark hospitality

Hotels

Independent Hotels in the U.S. Pressured by the Big Brands

Brands have overtaken independents in the U.S., and that trend looks set to repeat itself abroad. But independents have held up better than expected in the past year. Perhaps the U.S. market is reaching an equilibrium.

Sean O'Neill | 3 years ago

Travel Technology

Sabre to Make Former CWT Exec Kurt Ekert CEO

Travel technology giant Sabre said on Wednesday that Sean Menke, who has been CEO of the company since 2016, will become executive chair of its board on April 27, at…

Sean O'Neill | 3 years ago

Bluebird Spa City Motor Lodge - Saratoga Springs, New York. Source: Lark Hospitality.

Hotels

Designers Herald a Motel Makeover for Next-Gen Travelers

Updates to fixtures, furnishings, and food can reinvigorate motels for the next generation. But you need to use a consumer lens, not just a developer's budget, to make the right design choices.

Sean O'Neill | 3 years ago

Located in Spain’s stunning Balearic Islands in Menorca, Villa Le Blanc by Gran Meliá opened in July 2022

Hotels

Spain’s Melia Looks for Partners to Grow Premium Resort Portfolio

We bet that Hyatt or one of its rivals will partner with Meliá by 2025, adding a bigger loyalty program and scale efficiencies. But the Spanish leader in resort locations worldwide should reject any offer that would dilute its strategy. Call it turn-down service.

Sean O'Neill | 3 years ago

Hotels

A Few Top Takeaways From Hotel Earnings Season

Hotel companies have been booking it in the post-pandemic rebound. The latest earnings season suggests that the good times should continue to roll through much of the year, barring a surprise.

Sean O'Neill | 3 years ago

Hotels

Marriott Gives Finance Chief Leeny Oberg Oversight of Global Development

Marriott International said on Friday that its chief financial officer, Leeny Oberg, will now also lead the company's global development organization, responsible for the strategic growth at the world's largest…

Sean O'Neill | 3 years ago

Hotels

Hotels Eagerly Await Returning Chinese Travelers

Hoteliers have been waiting for Chinese outbound tourists for some time, but borders have only really begun unlocking now. Plus, other hotel news from across the globe.

Sean O'Neill | 3 years ago

Hotels

Marriott Vacations Sees Timeshare Strength on Torrid Leisure Travel Demand

Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corp's new CEO John Geller said on Thursday that the company's fourth-quarter earnings underscored continued strength in leisure demand for its timeshare properties, package tours, and other…

Sean O'Neill | 3 years ago

Le Splendid Hotel Lac d_Annecy accor handwritten collection source accor group

Hotels

Accor’s Robust 2022 Invigorates Bet on Local Hybrid Hospitality

Accor executives believe their competitive advantage is becoming more apparent as U.S.-based hotel groups go abroad to expand. They claim to have a more global organizational footprint and a better sense of what hotels need to profit in many non-U.S. markets.

Sean O'Neill | 3 years ago