Sean O'Neill Archives

Sean O’Neill is Skift's Senior Hospitality Editor. Sean's forte is reporting, and he's broken multiple industry scoops. Sean has also received praise as an event moderator, having interviewed the CEOs of major hotel groups such as Marriott, Hilton, and IHG on stage. He writes analysis pieces that pinpoint industry trends, and he profiles rising industry leaders. In his personal life, someone should stop him before he starts another home improvement project.

exterior view of the front of an extended stay america suites property

Business Travel

Extended Stay America CEO Sees 'Softness' – How He'd Handle a Mild Recession

Extended Stay America's CEO Greg Juceam believes the company's focus on long-term accommodations provides resilience against economic uncertainty, with its diverse customer base of housing transitioners and extended business travelers acting as a buffer.

Sean O'Neill | 17 hours ago

Hotels

Radisson's Growth Plan: Fewer Rules for Hotel Owners, China Focus

Radisson Hotel Group says it takes an "owner-first" approach, which basically translates to: “What do you, the property owner, need to make this a good investment?” Maybe that's why it's been on a growth tear.

Sean O'Neill | 2 days ago

Hotels

New Loyalty Program Journey Targets Independent Boutique Hotels

The new startup Journey faces significant challenges in building consumer adoption and achieving the necessary scale to compete with established loyalty programs. But its notable backers believe it's addressing critical pain points in today's loyalty system.

Sean O'Neill | 3 days ago

view of the bathroom and bedroom in a luxury hotel in Spain

Hotels

Accor CEO: Purging Weak Hotels, Defending European Turf, More Luxury

After years of strategic pivots and playing catch-up, the hotel giant is cleaning house, doubling down on luxury, and expanding in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

Sean O'Neill | 2 weeks ago

Close up of a small present being put on the bed by a female hotel maid in the room

Hotels

Hotel Loyalty Race: Marriott Leads, Hilton Is Gaining Fast — See the Top 13 Programs

Based on their six-year growth rates, Hilton Honors is expected to surpass Marriott Bonvoy's membership count in mid-to-late 2026. Other loyalty programs with standout growth rates include Hyatt and IHG.

Sean O'Neill | 2 weeks ago

aerial view looking down on a new hotel in southeast asia

Hotels

Accor's Two-Track Strategy: Luxury for Growth, Economy for Profit

Skift spoke with Group Deputy CEO Jean-Jacques Morin about Accor's strategic pivot in key areas, such as why half of its new hotels will be in Asia this year.

Sean O'Neill | 3 weeks ago

Hotels

Choice Has Dumped Hundreds of Budget Hotels in Upscale Strategy Shift

Choice Hotels has been abandoning its roadside motel roots for more lucrative upscale and extended-stay properties. That means ice machines are out, and Instagrammable lobbies are in.

Sean O'Neill | 3 weeks ago

Tourism

The Olympics and World Cup Are Coming — U.S. Tourism Commission Calls For These Fixes

The U.S. risks missing out on billions in tourism revenue unless it modernizes its airport processes, slashes visa red tape, and takes other steps ahead of major sporting events.

Sean O'Neill | 3 weeks ago

the CEO of hotel group IHG waves to owners at a conference in 2024

Hotels

IHG CEO Touts Record Pace of Converting Buildings to Its Hotel Brands

"Here's a mostly empty office building that we want to turn into a cool hotel" is, in 2025, an easier sell to lenders than "Here's an empty lot that we want to turn into a cool hotel." That's true because of high interest rates and construction costs.

Sean O'Neill | 4 weeks ago

Hotels

IHG Buys Ruby Hotels as 20th Brand

IHG's latest franchising deal underscores how there's distribution pressure on independent hotel brands to join forces with the largest hotel groups.

Sean O'Neill | 4 weeks ago