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.

henn na hotel robots japan source henn na hotel

Online Travel

Travel Industry to Switch On More Automated Processes to Cope With Reduced Staffing

Forget animatronic robots. But software that replaces repetitive tasks that white-collar workers do in back-offices, tracking devices that can alert when hand sanitizers are empty, and mobility scooters that drive themselves are some of the examples of automation that may be worthwhile.

Sean O'Neill | 6 years ago

tours activities masks source Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston

Online Travel

Tour Guides and Museums See a Healthy Rebound in Places That Have Eased Restrictions

The recovery for sightseeing, attractions, and experiences is still in early stages in Europe and North America. But it is happening faster than expected in some segments and countries.

Sean O'Neill | 6 years ago

greg webb travelport ceo source travelport

Online Travel

Travelport Receives $500 Million in Fresh Financing From Private Equity

The cash injection will give the travel technology firm Travelport some breathing room as it fights payments tech firm Wex over a transaction dispute.

Sean O'Neill | 6 years ago

abu dhabi airport passenger source jumpstory

Airlines

Emirates and Etihad Will Resume Transit Flights

Many people remain stranded far from home because they can't get transit flights onward to their final destinations. So it's good news for many workers and families that Emirates and Etihad are restarting transit flights through hub airports in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Alexander Cornwell | 6 years ago

Sean Menke stage sabre conference source sabre

Coronavirus

Sabre’s Major Restructuring Includes Cutting 800 More Jobs

Sabre's leadership team has been like an endurance runner in its strategy of patching up the security of the company's software, breaking down internal business silos, and moving Sabre's systems to the more stable cloud. This latest restructuring is the next phase.

Sean O'Neill | 6 years ago

Airlines

Airlines Will Tap New Tech in These Uncertain Times to Make It Easier to Change Restricted Tickets

Many travelers no longer want to take some trips this year for various reasons, even if their flights haven't been canceled. A new automated solution will speed up the pace at which airlines can rebook passengers by overriding the restrictions on tickets bought before the crisis.

Sean O'Neill | 6 years ago

Coronavirus

Contactless Tech Promises to Be Travel’s Next Big Thing: What’s Real and What’s Hype?

Low-touch is the new high-touch in travel. Companies may rapidly adopt some kinds of contactless systems in response to the pandemic. But which ones?

Sean O'Neill | 6 years ago

lastminute.com sponsor london eye wheel source jumpstory

Coronavirus

Lastminute.com CEO Calls on Airlines to Issue Refunds Faster

Travelers are finding roadblocks to getting their money back from trips canceled by the pandemic, even when the law requires refunds. Enter online travel group Lastminute.com, which isn't happy about it.

Sean O'Neill | 6 years ago

mountain cabin Sevierville tennessee source vacasa

Online Travel

Vacasa Grabs $108 Million in New Funding Led by Private Equity Investor Silver Lake

The coronavirus pandemic made some travel companies seem like dominoes stacked too closely together. But private equity will help some businesses like Vacasa escape this crisis without toppling over.

Sean O'Neill | 6 years ago

Online Travel

RV and Outdoor Recreation Companies See a Boom in Bookings

The great outdoors is appealing to many people who have been cooped up under stay-at-home restrictions. It's no wonder that several booking services for camping and related services are reporting growth.

Sean O'Neill | 6 years ago