Hospitality Tech CEOs Embrace AI Disruption

More than a decade after their emergence, hospitality tech pioneers like Hostaway, Lighthouse, and Mews continue to redefine how the industry evolves—fueled by rapid growth, fresh investment, and constant innovation. At Phocuswright Europe 2025, the CEOs of these three companies reflected on their journeys and discussed how they’re preparing for the next phase of disruption.

Each of the companies has secured major funding in the last year. Hostaway rolled out new AI tools following its latest capital injection, Lighthouse acquired The Hotels Network to strengthen its personalization capabilities, and Mews announced a $75 million round while expanding through acquisitions. Their leaders now face the dual challenge of scaling up while staying ahead of faster, scrappier rivals—and the threat of disruption from artificial intelligence itself.

Lighthouse CEO Sean Fitzpatrick noted that holding onto market leadership can be dangerous. He sees opportunity in breaking down inefficiencies in the travel experience, especially through AI. “From discovery and research to booking and payment, too many companies profit from the dysfunction in the journey,” he said. He believes AI can streamline that experience, making it more seamless for both travelers and suppliers.

For Richard Valtr, founder of Mews, the focus is on anticipating the next wave of competition. While he compared his company’s early ambition to Oracle’s early days, he’s more concerned with spotting “who is actually coming to kill us,” a nod to how quickly tech landscapes shift.

Hostaway CEO Marcus Rader offered a more grounded perspective. He said the company intentionally operates with lean resources to maintain its innovative edge. “If we give ourselves too many resources, we’re going to stop innovating, and then we’ll be dead,” he said. Rader emphasized staying humble and always solving for customer needs with maximum efficiency.

The conversation also explored the balance between acquiring companies and building technology in-house. While acquisitions can accelerate capabilities, each leader agreed that long-term success requires a deep commitment to customer-centric technology. They also discussed the cooling investment climate and how companies need to adapt by proving strong operational performance and clear value creation, not just vision.

As the next five years unfold, AI will be both a tool and a threat. For these hospitality tech leaders, the path forward lies in embracing change rather than defending the status quo. Whether it’s streamlining the traveler journey, building lean teams, or staying alert to new challengers, their mindset reflects a tech culture shaped more by survival instinct than comfort.

The takeaway from the session was clear: in hospitality technology, innovation is a race without a finish line—and those who slow down risk falling behind fast.

Tags: phocuswire

Hospitality Tech CEOs Embrace AI Disruption

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