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

Travelport Adjusts Fees and Technology to Navigate the Recovery

The pandemic dealt travel distribution companies a weak hand. Given that it's the third-largest player, Travelport has to play every card right in the recovery. So far, it appears to have done that.

Sean O'Neill | 5 years ago

flickr jeda filla pemuteran bali travel private villa rental source jeda villa via flickr creative commons

Online Travel

Community-Based Homesharing Brand Dtravel Gets Backing: Travel Startup Funding This Week

This week, travel startups announced about $138 million in funding for concepts including a community-run homesharing service, insurance for peer-to-peer rentals of recreational vehicles, and a booking service for travelers with reduced mobility.

Sean O'Neill | 5 years ago

Outdoorsy San Diego Sea-Side-Beach Motorhome ClassC 44

Online Travel

RV Rental Sharing Gets Boost From New $120 Million Investment for Outdoorsy

Investors are betting that the trend in renting RVs won't run out of gas after the pandemic wanes. They've funded Outdoorsy, an Airbnb-type service for recreational vehicles. Investors think the startup's new private vehicle insurance product will help accelerate the RV trend.

Sean O'Neill | 5 years ago

a chalet for vacation rental via hometogo portfolio company of lakestar source hometogo

Online Travel

This Berlin Venture Fund Backed Airbnb Early On: Where It’s Placing Bets Now

Lakestar has invested in European travel startups more than any other venture firm, based on total money. Does it know something that others don't?

Sean O'Neill | 5 years ago

united ecoskies plane on runway with fulcrum bioengineering sustainable fuel source united airlines

Online Travel

United Airlines Reveals New Venture Arm Won’t Go for Quick Returns

United's heft could help its new corporate venture capital unit, which will be like a barnacle on a whale. Unlike pure-play venture capital firms, United Airlines Ventures can invest for a truly long haul thanks to its strategic focus.

Sean O'Neill | 5 years ago

cabana rv mobile hotel startup source cabana

Online Travel

Cabana Raises $10 Million for Glamping-on-Wheels Model

New startup Cabana is betting that the outdoor adventure sector can at least double in size with better product and service. It's interesting that Jason Calacanis and Paul English are backers because they've used this playbook before as entrepreneurs and investors in other sectors.

Sean O'Neill | 5 years ago

air france baggage tractor source air france

Online Travel

Paragon Buys a Bag Tag Maker in a Bid to Digitize Airline Luggage Tracking

While not glamorous, the digitization of bag tagging could help airlines lose fewer pieces of luggage. Paragon, a public tech company, aims to scale up Security Label's business with customers like Air France.

Sean O'Neill | 5 years ago

enseo hig capital acquisition hotel tech startup source enseo

Online Travel

Private Equity Buys Hotel Guest Room Tech Provider Enseo

Private equity firm HIG Capital has taken a majority stake in Enseo, a provider of digital in-room entertainment tech for hotels. Enseo plans to grow through acquisition. The deal is a validation of founder and CEO Vanessa Ogle's bold pivot of the tech vendor.

Sean O'Neill | 5 years ago

Tourism

New Plastics Report Warns Travel Industry and Calls for Unity to Address

As the travel industry slowly emerges from the pandemic, it will soon have to re-engage with dropping single-use plastics because regulators aren't waiting until the travel sector's profitability recovers to tighten laws.

Sean O'Neill | 5 years ago

vertical aerospace air taxis source vertical aerospace

Online Travel

American Airlines Backs Vertical Aerospace Electric Planes: Travel Startup Funding This Week

The American Airlines investment in Vertical Aerospace marks the aviation industry's broad support of more than a dozen startups building air taxis. But be skeptical of the hype that small, electric-powered aircraft will be in the skies anytime soon.

Sean O'Neill | 5 years ago