Artificial Intelligence drives personalization, innovation and next-level guest experiences — from smart menus to data-driven travel design.
Artificial intelligence is not only transforming our daily lives — it is radically reshaping the way we travel, experience gastronomy, and engage with luxury. From personalized experiences to smart menus and predictive travel packages, AI is redefining the future of high-end tourism.
Five leading marketing professionals at the forefront of innovation explain how artificial intelligence is redefining the concept of “luxury.” They discuss the emerging trends that AI brings to premium gastronomy and high-end tourism, highlighting the changes already underway in how businesses deliver authentic, personalized experiences.
Maria Germantzidou, Digital Marketing Specialist, Founder of Digibrain Agency
When Technology Meets Soul: The New Era of Social Media Marketing
Artificial intelligence is not just a threat. We are talking about a valuable alliance that came to enhance the creativity, passion and personal care that every business in the Premium Gastronomy and Tourism sector wants to offer. It will not replace people, but it will become the tool that will make our work easier, smarter and more efficient.
The real “secret” lies in education: we, the people, must learn how to collaborate with AI, to guide it with love and knowledge, so that it can help us tell our story in the best possible way. It can create content, analyze data, and design strategies, but the soul of communication – authenticity, emotion, connection – remains our exclusive prerogative.
As a freelance digital marketer, I can say from personal experience that using AI has made me more efficient and has greatly reduced my errors. Before I publish a piece of writing, like the one you’re reading now, I run it through AI to proofread, improve flow, and ensure the message is clear and engaging.
This way, I can spend more time on strategy and creativity, knowing that the content is top-notch.
In gastronomy and tourism industries, where every detail counts and every experience wants to touch the heart, AI helps simplify complex messages so that they reach exactly the right person, in the right way, whether in a B2B or B2C target audience. But beyond content creation, AI is the “secret” that empowers our branding. It allows us to see deeper into the needs and desires of our audience and shape an image that embraces our values and reflects the quality we offer. It is the tool that can bring our vision closer to the people we want to inspire.
It all depends on us, because… in the end, AI is a human creation!
Mini Bio:
Maria Germantzidou is a Digital Marketing Specialist and founder of Digibrain Agency, with over 5 years of experience in digital marketing. She started her career in the media, where she worked for 7 years as a journalist in newspaper, radio and television, before discovering her passion for SEO, content marketing and Meta Ads. She specializes in creating targeted content and strategies that enhance branding, mainly in B2B, but also in B2C. He is the author of a printed research book and four eBooks on digital marketing and believes in the collaboration of people and technology, with artificial intelligence as a tool that empowers creativity and efficiency.
Thomas Krypas- Marketing & Brand Specialist, Business Coach-Trainer, Top 20 Greek Linkedin experts
AI-Driven Experiences: The Future of Tourism & Culinary Marketing
A traveler or guest’s experience at a premium culinary destination doesn’t start when they check in at the venue — it begins the moment they start searching for information online. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is fundamentally changing this journey, transforming marketing from traditional communication to intelligent, personalized experiences.
With tools like predictive analytics, conversational AI, and AI chatbots, businesses can now gain a deeper understanding of their customers’ needs and preferences. Display is no longer just based on pretty photos or generic slogans. Instead, it becomes dynamic and personalized: what does the user prefer? When does he travel? What cuisine does he love? What experience suits him best?
AI allows marketers to create “micro-journeys” before the customer even reaches their destination. From customized landing pages and recommendation engines to real-time personalization, the experience gains depth, consistency and personality.
A typical example is the use of AI for dish and wine recommendations in a fine dining restaurant, based on dietary preferences, booking history and reviews of other customers. The result: a better experience, greater engagement and increased revenue.
Our role as marketers is now changing: we are no longer just promoting products or services;
We design experiences that start digital and end physically. In a world of premium hospitality and gastronomy, AI is not just a tool – it is the new design thinking of experience.
The future belongs to experiences. And AI is the means to make them truly unforgettable.
Mini Bio:
Thomas Krypas holds an MBA and a BBA in Business Administration from Nottingham Trent University. He has over 15 years of professional experience in leadership positions in Marketing and Project Management, specializing in strategic planning, team leadership, commercial execution, and resource and budget management.
He has supervised the design and implementation of multi-channel campaigns, achieving commercial goals and successfully guiding teams towards innovation and efficiency.
At the same time, he is actively involved as a speaker at seminars and training programs, focusing on areas such as Digital Marketing, the use of Artificial Intelligence in entrepreneurship, the use of the HubSpot platform in digital transformation, as well as the application of NLP techniques in sales and communication.
He holds more than 90 professional certifications from internationally recognized organizations and platforms (Google, Meta, HubSpot, PMI, Hootsuite, Semrush, Ahrefs, etc.), as well as NLP Practitioner certification.
With excellent knowledge of Greek and English and broad interdisciplinary training, his goal is to impart practical and immediately applicable knowledge, empowering professionals and businesses in the modern competitive and digitally evolving environment.
Ioannis Protopapadakis, Marketing & Customer Service Expert, Public Speaker, Lecturer
I would like to start the conversation about AI with a quote from Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, that I recently read: ‘You won’t lose your job to AI—you’ll ‘lose your job to somebody, who uses AI’ . And for better or worse, this is the reality today, to which we must adapt, if we really don’t want to be outpaced by developments.
The applications of AI are literally countless. From finding us keywords, article titles, quality content, to responding to reviews (or even writing rave reviews for us, although I don’t recommend it) or even helping us launch new products…
For example, a Chef can provide geographical and climatic information to ChatGPT and it will make specific suggestions. After all, each region has its own characteristics, local products and recipes that are lost in time.
Now, it’s no surprise that top chefs and restaurants are using AI tools to innovate, improve customer experience, and increase sustainability.
There are even platforms that experiment with seemingly disparate combinations of ingredients that are gastronomically impressive. At the same time, the provision of a personalized experience is being strengthened, with AI analyzing the customer’s particular preferences, allergies or “purchase history” and suggesting custom-made menus for each visitor.
In addition, AI contributes to better inventory management, accuracy in dish production, reduction of errors and food waste, which is now a burning issue for restaurants and not only, but also to the activation of all senses (sensory marketing) as it “intervenes” in lighting, sound, aromas and effects, always depending on what is being served.
Mini Bio:
Ioannis Protopapadakis is a marketing and customer service expert. He is the author of 23 business books, a professor (IST, Mediterranean, New York College), a seminar speaker, an executive trainer in the hospitality industry, and a consultant on marketing, quality service, complaint management, and reviews.
He studied Business Administration at the University of Piraeus and holds an MBA (Master of Business Administration) from Cleveland State University.
He is the first to tackle complaints management, which he delved into at an academic and writing level, as well as one of the first to deal with online hotel and restaurant reviews, since 2008.
He has been invited as a speaker by various organizations and institutions such as TEDxSitia, Palso, Kalamata School of Tourism, EEDE, Forum, Travel Daily News, FortuneGreece, etc.
He has worked in the sales department of Misko-Barilla, as well as -from 2000 to present- as a professor of marketing and quality service, in various colleges.
He is a partner of the startup Hoteltraining, an online platform with video seminars about tourism, and The Apex. He writes articles for epixeiro.gr and has trained the personnel of many hotel units.
Maria Spiliopoulou, Brand & Social Media Strategist Founder & CEO @ Threeque
Imagine arriving in an unfamiliar city and, before you even get off the plane, your phone vibrates. A message: “Welcome! Here’s the restaurant you’ll fall in love with, local foods you have to try, and a special invitation to a wine tasting that will blow your mind.” All this thanks to Artificial Intelligence (AI), which acts as a discreet yet omnipresent Personal Concierge. For me, this is the future of Premium Gastronomy and Tourism: the perfect combination of innovation with authentic human experience.
Businesses that leverage AI correctly can fully understand what the customer is looking for. By using data correctly, they can predict, plan, and create the perfect conditions to satisfy exactly what their customer wants, offering value. Not just a luxurious service, but authenticity and an emotional connection that lasts.
The result? Unique! A Premium journey of flavors and hospitality, of unparalleled aesthetics, authenticity and care.
With innovations such as virtual reality (VR), customers can explore destinations and culinary experiences before they even leave their home.
These digital technologies allow the customer to interactively discover places of interest or take a digital tour of luxury hotels and restaurants, experiencing the atmosphere and quality of services before the actual visit.
Human contact, however, remains the focus. AI does not replace the human element, but rather enhances it. Chatbots and digital assistants offer instant, 24/7 service, while personnel can focus on more meaningful interactions with guests.
Thus, technology comes to enhance meaningful human service, ensuring that every customer feels special. As a Digital Marketing & Branding Expert, I see every day how AI transforms data into human stories and unique experiences.
Customers are looking for brands that will offer them quality services, attention to detail and care that reflects their personal needs. AI creates exactly that, combining innovation with human touch and offering a completely personalized experience. The businesses that succeed are those that manage to build strong bonds with their customers.
Mini Bio:
I started my career as a Graphic Designer, where I discovered the power of visual content to convey messages and emotions.
Very quickly, I realized that I wanted to move beyond design. So, I moved on to the next step: Business Strategy and Branding.
My passion for how businesses operate and how they can stand out in the market has led me to specialize in these areas.
As CEO of threeque, I combine the three dimensions that I consider essential for the development of any business: IQ (intelligence), EQ (emotional intelligence) and AQ (adaptability).
Threeque represents this vision, providing innovative solutions that bring real value to our partners.
I have worked with small businesses, startups, and established brands, helping them find their voice, stand out in the market, and create meaningful connections with their audiences.
My personal journey has been full of challenges, but also great opportunities for growth.
From the first steps to today, my commitment remains the same: to provide strategic guidance and solutions that stand out.
My passion for my work never stops. I’m here to create the next big chapter of your brand together.
Nikolaos Tsakiris, Business Consultant
Personalized communication is not marketing, it’s art
Artificial intelligence has entered our lives for good, and certainly in business. Premium gastronomy and tourism industry are certainly no exception. I am familiar with the term premium at an international level, from a different industry, but with the same mentality. I have witnessed the importance of the right approach. I know what people want. They want the best quality, they want to feel important, they want experiences that are unforgettable.
Artificial intelligence is a very powerful technology, a unique opportunity and businesses can use it to their advantage. Premium gastronomy and tourism sectors, where every detail counts, AI is a tool that can help you reach the top and remain there.
AI can change the way we use email marketing, for example. It’s not just about emails anymore. AI can analyze vast amounts of data, which means it knows exactly, what each customer wants. Not what we think they want, but what they really want. Data-driven personalization, not guesswork.
Imagine this: You own a luxury restaurant or a five-star resort. You can record your customer’s preferences: what they order, what services they use, when they travel, what type of room they prefer. Then, AI creates personalized offers and messages that are completely targeted to each individual. It’s not just an email, it’s a personal communication, designed to make the customer feel special, unique. You send them exactly what they want to see, at the right time. Personalized communication is not marketing, it’s art.
The solutions are obvious: better targeting, greater customer loyalty, increased revenue. AI can predict trends, optimize prices in real time (like airlines use), and manage reservations with unparalleled efficiency.
It can create high-quality content for social media, manage your online reputation and answer customer questions 24/7 (website chat). All these lead to additional bookings, higher satisfaction and better reviews.
Also, using AI for financial analysis within the company is an amazing tool.
Of course, some people will say that the “human touch” is lost. That’s not true. The “human touch” is enhanced when you have the tools to do a better job. The real challenge is to train your people to use those tools, to integrate them into their operations. It will allow you to offer an unsurpassed experience to your customers, outperform the competition and make your business more profitable.
Mini Bio:
As a Business Consultant and Economist (MSc), specializes in economic analysis and global business development.
He has the expertise to effectively guide expansion strategies, while the continuous results of exceeding expectations, his contribution to the international development of companies and international distinctions are key results of his work.
With experience spanning from CFO to Business Development positions in international markets, he has proven his ability to transform business challenges into significant opportunities. His geographical experience, from Sweden to Greece, brings a broad and valuable perspective on international business practices and growth strategy.
