Travel investors are warning startups: ditch the AI hype and focus on real solutions. Meanwhile, Chatlyn, an Austrian startup, raises €8M to become the AI brain for hotels—streamlining guest communication and saving time. In this episode, we unpack how AI is reshaping hospitality the smart way.
We explore how travel investors are urging startups to move beyond AI buzzwords—and highlight how one startup, Chatlyn, is proving that AI done right can revolutionise hotel operations.
At the recent Skift Data + AI Summit, leading travel investors issued a reality check for startup founders: stop leading with AI hype. The panel, featuring experts from Brook Bay Capital, Thayer Investment Partners, and Heartcore Capital, made one thing clear—AI isn’t the product, it’s the tool.
Startups that open pitches with “We’re an AI company” are already signalling the wrong priority. What matters isn’t the tech itself, but the problem it solves. Founders need to show deep knowledge of the travel industry, a clear pain point they are addressing, and a readiness to pivot if needed.
This isn’t about an AI arms race. Instead, investors see space for niche, community-driven travel businesses—especially those offering operational improvements, smoother guest experiences, or passion-led group travel. The big takeaway? Sustainable success comes from solving operational headaches, not just adding AI features for the sake of it.
On the flip side, Austrian startup Chatlyn just raised €8 million by showing exactly how AI should be used: as an efficiency driver, not a gimmick.
Chatlyn’s solution tackles a real problem: hotels juggling up to 12 different messaging apps—WhatsApp, Booking.com messages, Airbnb chat, SMS, email, and more. Their AI-powered platform consolidates all guest communication into one interface, helping hotel teams avoid missed bookings, unanswered inquiries, and scattered conversations.
It doesn’t stop there. Chatlyn is rolling out AI-powered phone assistants, booking tools, and multilingual guest support. Crucially, it integrates directly with major hotel systems like Oracle Opera, Apaleo, and Mews, proving that the tech doesn’t live in isolation—it fits seamlessly into real hotel operations.
With over 1,000 properties already onboard in 30 countries, Chatlyn isn’t promising magic. It’s delivering time savings, better guest satisfaction, and increased revenue—all while reducing manual admin work for hotel teams.
Even if you run a short-term rental business instead of a hotel, the lessons are the same:
✅ Focus on solving real problems. Tech should help you save time, boost bookings, or improve the guest experience—not just add complexity.
✅ Streamline your communication. Whether you’re managing messages across Airbnb, WhatsApp, or email, consider tools that consolidate everything in one place.
✅ AI should amplify, not distract. Use AI to automate repetitive tasks—like answering common questions or processing bookings—so you can focus on the human touch that drives loyalty.
Whether you’re a startup founder, hotelier, or STR operator, the winning formula isn’t AI for AI’s sake. It’s about building systems that make travel smoother, simpler, and more personal—powered by tech, but driven by service.
The future of travel belongs to businesses that understand this balance.
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