Sean O'Neill

Sean O’Neill is Skift's senior hospitality editor, reporting on hotels. Send him news tips at [email protected]. He lives in Washington, D.C. Stop him before he starts another home improvement project.

Latest Stories

Hotels

Choice Hotels Buys More Than $110 Million in Wyndham Shares

Think of it this way: Choice's love affair with Wyndham has gone unrequited, and now Choice is pleading with the parents for an arranged marriage.

Sean O'Neill | 2 weeks ago

Hotels

Hilton’s Massive IPO, 10 Years Later: Top Takeaways

Hilton's IPO was more successful than any other hotel company's in the past decade, thanks to a transformation in corporate strategy. The lessons are still relevant to understanding Hilton and potential IPOs by emerging players.

Sean O'Neill | 2 weeks ago

Hotels

Hilton’s New Hotel Brands: What Trademark Filings Reveal

Hilton has struggled to get the H3 brand trademarked for its new extended-stay hotels. Some alternative names it's considering include Livsmart, filings showed.

Sean O'Neill | 3 weeks ago

Tourism

Middle East Tourism’s Fading Momentum

Today's podcast looks at the strength and weaknesses of Middle East's tourism sector, how travel companies are using artificial intelligence, and some fresh funding for travel startup Klook.

Sean O'Neill | 3 weeks ago

Online Travel

Klook Raises $210 Million to Compete With Viator and GetYourGuide

Klook turning profitable is good news. And the travel startup's failure to get additional follow-on funding from troubled backer Softbank is unsurprising. Klook has made great strides, but it must someday find an exit for its early investors.

Sean O'Neill | 3 weeks ago

Hotels

IHG CEO Sees Credit Cards as Key to Unlocking More Growth

IHG believes its larger peers make 10 times as much in fees from co-branded credit cards than it does. So it has room to grow this profitable revenue.

Sean O'Neill | 3 weeks ago

Hotels

Selina’s Struggle to Survive: What’s Next for the Hotel Brand

Selina hopes to avoid bankruptcy by seeking a restructuring out of court. Other travel companies that have similarly struggled after going public in a rocky market will watch closely.

Sean O'Neill | 3 weeks ago

Airlines

What’s Next for the Alaska-Hawaiian Airline Merger

Today's podcast looks at the Alaska Air-Hawaiian Air combo, American Air's tussle with travel agents, and an investment in Travelport.

Sean O'Neill | 3 weeks ago

Hotels

Saudi Arabia’s Wealth Fund Takes 49% of Rocco Forte in Luxury Hotel Play

Saudi's main investment fund is a wolf in cashmere that knows the value of luxury assets. This deal underscores the enduring resilience and allure of European luxury travel.

Sean O'Neill | 4 weeks ago

Hotels

How Posadas, Mexico’s Largest Hotel Group, Competes Against Global Giants

Posadas could be a partner for major hotel groups for co-marketing deals, given the quality of its Mexican resorts.

Sean O'Neill | 4 weeks ago