hostAI, an artificial intelligence–based software company specializing in direct distribution for vacation rental managers, today announced that it has surpassed 5,000 active properties on its platform, a major milestone driven by the expansion of its integrations with property management systems (PMS).
This momentum is fuelled by a x3 year-over-year growth in direct bookings, supporting the company’s goal of shifting $100 million in intermediary bookings to direct channels by the end of 2026.
hostAI is designed to help short-term rental operators increase direct bookings and reduce their reliance on intermediaries, which typically charge commissions of 15–30%. The company leverages autonomous AI to manage the entire direct booking cycle—from guest acquisition to conversion and retention. Thanks to its technology, vacation rental operators gain access to automated email communications, smart websites, and hands-free ad campaigns, allowing them to own the customer relationship and turn the direct channel into their primary revenue source.
“We firmly believe that the future of travel distribution belongs to operators. That’s why we help short-term rental businesses increase profitability by strengthening the direct channel. As artificial intelligence reshapes how travelers discover and book accommodations, operators now have a clear opportunity to regain control of distribution—traditionally dominated by major OTAs. Our proprietary AI-powered technology combines deep industry expertise with advanced automation to manage the entire direct booking journey, from acquisition to conversion and retention, making direct bookings a primary revenue driver,” said Amirali Mohajer, CEO and co-founder of hostAI.
Over the next 12 months, hostAI will focus on maintaining high customer retention, measurably increasing the share of direct channel revenue for the brands it serves, and developing new products to maximize visibility in AI assistants. The company is also exploring strategic partnerships with other industry players, including PMS providers, revenue managers, channel managers, and content creators, to strengthen its ecosystem and deliver more comprehensive solutions to clients.
Recognized among Phocuswire’s Hot25 startups of 2026, hostAI combines a seasoned travel and tech leadership team with advanced artificial intelligence and natural language processing capabilities.
