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

Wyndham Hotels Debuts Online Auctions for Loyalty Program Redemption

Travel brands haven't innovated much when it comes to reward redemption. So kudos to Wyndham for gambling on something new. But their new auctions aren't without risk to the company.

Sean O'Neill | 9 years ago

Online Travel

Tourico Holidays Tunes Up Its Technology After Hotelbeds Merger

The wholesale travel sector is under pressure from shifts in how hotel companies distribute their rooms. Tourico's new tech for agencies and airlines may help boost sales and margins in the face of these trends.

Sean O'Neill | 9 years ago

Online Travel

Business of Loyalty: What the Travel Industry Could Learn From Amazon Prime

Amazon's subscription model — which has already disrupted music, groceries, and retail — could be the key to travel brands unlocking more revenue per customer. Here's the lowdown on the latest tests.

Sean O'Neill | 9 years ago

trivago new hotel revenue management service Rate Insights tool

Online Travel

Trivago Joins Rivals in Offering Hotels a Rate-Shopping Tool

Trivago is bold to take on the giants Booking.com and Expedia Inc. by debuting hotel data services, too. But its rate-shopping tool is better designed and possibly more powerful than what its rivals offer. Game on.

Sean O'Neill | 9 years ago

Momondo Group CEO Hugo Burge speaking at Skift Forum Europe in London in April 2017.

Online Travel

Momondo CEO Exits Company as Acquisition by Kayak Closes

It’s surprising that Momondo Group CEO Hugo Burge would depart the moment the acquisition of his brands by Priceline Group would close. But Kayak’s promise of boosted marketing spend suggests the Momondo and Cheapflight brands will live on.

Sean O'Neill | 9 years ago

Online Travel

Cash-Back Biz Travel App Raises $7 Million: Travel Startup Funding This Week

Dosh says it has 55 people working on letting travelers earn cash back on the money they spend on business trips, while Hoperator has debuted to bring AI tools to hotel chat. Each has promise.

Sean O'Neill | 9 years ago

google search vacation rental booking.com paris

Online Travel

Google Is Testing Vacation Rental Search in Its Hotel Price-Comparison Tool

In tests involving about 7,000 property listings in Europe, Google is checking if travelers would like to use it to search and book vacation rentals. Online travel rivals should be on the alert.

Sean O'Neill | 9 years ago

Online Travel

Priceline CEO: Hotels Secretly Love Us Despite Accusations of Monopoly

Priceline CEO Glenn Fogel says he wants travelers to think of Booking.com's name first when they start thinking about reserving homes and apartments for rental. He says a marketing effort is in the works to achieve that.

Sean O'Neill | 9 years ago

Ground Transport

iCars Denies That It Is Spinning Its Wheels in Corporate Ground Transport

In theory, the merger of iCars and Limos.com promises a thriving black car service for corporate travelers. In practice, there is circumstantial evidence this investment vehicle hasn't yet left the repair shop.

Sean O'Neill | 9 years ago

Ted Zhang Derbysoft CEO travel technology

Online Travel

Travel Tech CEO Series: DerbySoft Prepares for a Hotel Distribution Free-for-All

DerbySoft has thrived as a vendor that helps global hotel groups with distribution partly because its top boss Ted Zhang called the rise of Booking.com early on. Zhang's latest predictions about what's next for the industry may ruffle some feathers.

Sean O'Neill | 9 years ago