CEO & Co-Founder, Rent By Owner
John Lyotier is the visionary CEO and Co-Founder of TravelAI, the innovative parent company behind Rent By Owner. With over 25 years of extensive experience as a seasoned tech entrepreneur and successful marketer, John is at the forefront of leveraging artificial intelligence to revolutionize the travel industry and redefine how millions experience their journeys.
A Journey in Travel Technology and AI
John's entrepreneurial journey in the travel tech space is marked by a consistent drive to innovate and scale. His foundation was laid with Left Technologies, Inc. (Canada), which he co-founded. This venture was recognized for its significant impact, achieving Certified B Corporation status and earning a spot on Deloitte Technology Fast 500 in both 2018 and 2019.
As CEO and Co-Founder of TravelAI, John is instrumental in leading the company's vision and strategy. TravelAI's core mission is to utilize data and cutting-edge AI content generation to create seamless and personalized travel experiences for millions of travelers. The company operates a growing portfolio of short-term rental brands, including RentByOwner , Hotala, Family Vacation Rentals, and Casai, by strategically analyzing consumer data to connect high-intent travelers with the world's largest travel websites and over 10 million properties.
John's deep understanding of the travel industry is exemplified by Rent By Owner's journey. The site, initially acquired in 2013, launched as a meta short-term rental brand. Under his leadership, Rent By Owner forged significant partnerships with leading providers like HomeAway (now Vrbo), Booking.com, and became one of Airbnb’s first affiliate partners in 2017.
Thought Leadership
John is a recognized voice in the intersection of AI, technology, and entrepreneurship. He has spoken at several travel and technology related conferences including Travel Trends AI Summit and SXSW.
John has also appeared on many travel industry podcasts including:
Travel Trends Podcast with Dan Christian -S4/E29 Travel AI in 2025
Boast AI’s What The Tech Podcast? - Being a tech entrepreneur in the AI age
Propellic’s Travel Marketing Podcast - Transforming Travel Experience With AI
