The Capsule^T Travel & Hospitality Accelerator, the accelerator of the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels, in collaboration with the Santorini Hoteliers Association, co-organised a comprehensive program of activities on the island, bringing together technological innovation and local tourism entrepreneurship.

The delegation included 9 startups from the current Acceleration Cycle, along with 3 Capsule^T alumni startups and 1 Community Partner of the accelerator, who had the opportunity to meet Santorini's businesses and professionals first-hand, exchange knowledge and experiences, and explore new opportunities for collaboration.

An experience filled with new connections, meaningful interactions and opportunities for collaboration, bringing Capsule^T startups closer to the tourism market and the people behind it.

New Technologies in Hospitality and Tourism: Connecting with the Local Market

On Thursday, October 22, 2026, the event “New Technologies in Hospitality and Tourism” took place at De Sol Hotel & Spa, aiming to introduce industry professionals to modern technological solutions and the opportunities for applying them in tourism businesses.

The event opened with welcome remarks from Mr. Antonis Pagonis, President of the Santorini Hoteliers Association, Mr. Nikos Zorzos, Mayor of Thira, and Ms. Ioulia Karmolegou, Deputy Regional Governor of Thira.

Next, Ms. Katerina Saridaki, Director of Capsule^T, presented the accelerator's work and activities before handing over the floor to the teams of the 9th Acceleration Cycle.

ArtStay, ClinicaGo, Culizen, depnos, OverGrid AI, Pricinger, stayi, Unloket and WhenWines took to the stage to present their innovative solutions to tourism professionals, highlighting the opportunities that new technologies offer for the development and modernisation of tourism businesses.

From the use of Artificial Intelligence and the automation of daily hotel operations to energy management, dynamic pricing, food and beverage services, medical tourism and wine tourism, the 9 startups presented a wide range of innovative applications. Through their presentations, they demonstrated how their solutions can address real market needs, helping businesses improve efficiency, enhance their services and create new experiences for guests.

From New Ideas to AI Applications in Hospitality

In the second part of the event, three Capsule^T alumni startups, SmartINN.ai,askHermisκαι New Generation Hotelier, took the floor to present the technological solutions they have developed and how hotel businesses can benefit from them.

Welcome Pickups, a Community Partner of Capsule^T, also participated in the presentations. The company operates internationally in the travel tech sector, offering transfer services and personalised travel experiences.

Of particular interest was the panel discussion titled “AI in Tourism and Hotels,” featuring the three alumni startups and Welcome Pickups. The discussion focused on the potential of Artificial Intelligence to support hotels' daily operations, automate processes and contribute to enhancing the guest experience.

Through the discussion and questions from the audience, different approaches to using AI were highlighted, along with the importance of connecting technological solutions with the real needs of hospitality professionals.

The event concluded with networking and B2B meetings, giving participants the opportunity to get to know the startups better, exchange views and explore potential areas for collaboration.

From the Stage to Real-World Experience: Exploring Santorini's Tourism Businesses

Capsule^T’s presence on the island was not limited to the event. As part of the program co-organised with the Santorini Hoteliers Association, the teams had the opportunity to visit hotels and wineries, gaining first-hand insights into different aspects of the local tourism market.

At The Majestic Hotel Santorini, the startups explored a five-star hotel that combines hospitality with gastronomy, wellness and conference services. At El Greco Resort & Spa, with its distinctive swimming pools and relaxation areas, they gained insights into the operations of a large resort, while at De Sol Hotel & Spa, they experienced a modern hotel environment that combines accommodation with spa, dining and business event services.

The experience continued at Andronis Suites, where luxury hospitality meets distinctive Cycladic architecture, private pools and personalised service. At Canaves, the startups discovered a different approach to high-end hospitality, featuring cave suites, unique views of the caldera and an emphasis on the authentic Santorini experience.

From hospitality, the journey also extended to wine tourism, with visits to two of the island's distinctive wineries. At Venetsanos Winery, a historic winery with unique architecture and views of the caldera, and Santo Wines, where winemaking meets wine tasting and the promotion of local tradition, the teams discovered another side of Santorini's tourism experience.

These visits gave the startups the opportunity to see how different business models operate in practice, understand their specific needs and explore where their own technological solutions could be applied.

A big thank you to the people of Santorini!

We would like to warmly thank the Santorini Hoteliers Association for its excellent collaboration and valuable contribution to the co-organisation of the entire initiative, from the event to the visits program and the overall hospitality provided to our delegation on the island.

Special thanks to Costa Grand Resort & Spa, The Majestic Hotel Santorini and INOΕ Kamari, who took care of our accommodation during our stay in Santorini.

We would also like to thank The Majestic Hotel Santorini, El Greco Resort & Spa, De Sol Hotel & Spa, Andronis Suites and Canaves, as well as Venetsanos Winery and Santo Wines, for opening their doors to our teams and giving them the opportunity to experience the island's tourism entrepreneurship first-hand.

Finally, we would like to thank the representatives of the local authorities, the speakers, the alumni startups, Welcome Pickups, and all the tourism professionals who participated in the event and contributed to its success.

Santorini gave us the opportunity to see once again how innovation becomes even more valuable when it connects with the people of the market.