Ghent-based tech company Lighthouse launches hotel booking app through ChatGPT

Ghent-based technology company Lighthouse has launched the first app that allows travellers to book hotel rooms directly through the AI application ChatGPT. Lighthouse, which developed a data platform for hotel operators, is entering the consumer market for the first time.

The ChatGPT app "Hotels Network" enables users to search for hotels, view rates and complete a reservation through the hotel’s own website. It displays information, photos and prices provided directly by the hotels themselves. To complete a reservation, users are redirected to the hotel’s website.

With the app, Lighthouse is competing with online booking platforms such as Booking.com and Expedia. According to the Ghent-based company, hotels can often offer more competitive rates through the app than on the established booking platforms, whose business model relies on commissions charged as intermediaries.

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800 million potential users

The new service is powered by Connect AI, a Lighthouse technology that creates a live data bridge between hotels and AI platforms. This allows information such as descriptions, photography, rates and availability to be shared with AI systems in real time. Hotels can therefore control how their property is presented in AI search results instead of relying on automatically scraped web content.

Lighthouse says this matters because AI tools are increasingly becoming the starting point for travel planning. In many cases, hotel results are currently compiled from generic web summaries or listings from online travel agencies. The new app gives hotels a direct channel to appear inside AI conversations and guide users to their own websites to complete a booking.

The app operates on a flat-fee subscription model for hotels and does not charge booking commissions. It is open to both hotel chains and independent properties. By using ChatGPT, Lighthouse could reach over 800 million users.

^{#FlandersNewsService | PHOTO © Scott Olson/Getty Images/AFP}

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