In a sector often dominated by global hotel chains and booking giants, a Brazilian-born entrepreneur is making waves in the U.S. startup ecosystem. Alexia Abreu, Founder & CEO of Lumara Smart Hospitality, is bringing AI-powered automation to one of the most underserved markets in tech: boutique hotels and independent hospitality operators.
Solving Urgent U.S. Hospitality Challenges
The U.S. hospitality industry is facing two pressing problems:
- Labor shortages – Over 60% of U.S. hotels report difficulty filling positions, leading to service gaps.
- Eroding margins from OTA commissions – Booking platforms can take up to 25% of revenue, squeezing profitability for independent operators.
Lumara’s platform directly tackles both. Its AI concierge automation handles repetitive guest communications across WhatsApp, Instagram, and web, while its commission-free booking engine helps hotels retain more revenue and control over their business.
Technology That Scales Without Complexity
Unlike traditional website builders, Lumara is a full-service AI SaaS ecosystem. In minutes, hotels can launch a smart website equipped with:
- A proprietary booking engine
- Multilingual AI concierge across multiple channels
- Real-time workflow automation for guest engagement and operations
For non-technical hotel owners, the platform feels intuitive. For the industry, it’s a rare blend of
enterprise-grade AI with small-business accessibility.
From Marketing Analytics to SaaS Innovation
Alexia’s path to Lumara is as unconventional as it is strategic. With a Master’s in Business Analytics from a U.S. university and over a decade in digital marketing and hospitality, she combines data science precision with real-world industry insight.
Before launching Lumara, she ran a creative media studio serving luxury hotels in Latin America, giving her firsthand understanding of operational bottlenecks. Today, that background shapes Lumara’s product decisions, from UX design to automation architecture.
Recognition in the Startup Ecosystem
Alexia has been mentored by top-tier AI engineers and startup founders with a track record of building and scaling companies to multi-billion-dollar valuations, bringing Silicon Valley-level technical insight to her entrepreneurial journey. She has actively pursued entry into high-caliber startup ecosystems — including the application process for Y Combinator’s Winter 2025 batch — reflecting Lumara’s readiness for the U.S. venture landscape.
A Vision Beyond Hospitality
While Lumara’s initial focus is boutique hotels, its AI workflow and booking architecture are adaptable to other service industries. The platform’s modular design could eventually power direct-to-consumer booking in wellness, experiences, and niche tourism markets – sectors with similar challenges and high growth potential.
Economic Impact & National Interest
By empowering small businesses with technology traditionally reserved for large enterprises, Lumara strengthens U.S. economic resilience. More direct bookings mean more local revenue, less dependency on global intermediaries, and increased competitiveness for American small businesses in a rapidly digitizing economy.
Looking Ahead
As Alexia’s continues to refine Lumara’s AI capabilities and expand its U.S. presence, she remains committed to building technology that respects local culture while driving global competitiveness.
“We’re not just building software, we’re building independence,” she says. “Hospitality is about connection, and technology should amplify that, not replace it.”
Explore Lumara: www.uselumara.com
Contact: hello@uselumara.com
