As artificial intelligence steadily reshapes global industries, travel and hospitality finds itself entering a quieter but deeper transformation. Join Metavallon VC at the historic heart of Athens during the Panathenea Festival 2026. We invite visionary founders, executives, and industry experts to the Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation on May 28, from 14:30 to 17:30, to explore an integrated view of the future.

Secure your attendance here: https://luma.com/097fs9fa

The event is structured around a compelling narrative – how we live, move, and experience our world. Three dedicated panels, led by Travelstaytion, Ferryhopper, and Smartify, will analyze these themes through the lens of AI to envision the landscape of 2031.

The Future of Accommodation and Guest Experience
Hosted by Travelstaytion

This session will explore the evolving meaning of stay. From global distribution to the personalization of guest experience, experts from Expedia Group, Marriott International, Guesty, and Empiria Group will reflect on how technology is shaping a new standard for hospitality. With decades of combined experience across platforms, brands, and boutique operators, the discussion will explore how intelligence, scale, and human touch can coexist in a more personalized era of travel.

“Excited to host our valued partners and friends in Athens. Leading stakeholders in filoxenia (hospitality) will share global perspectives on the trends and transformations shaping the future of the travel industry”.  – Jason Anastasinis, CEO & Founder, Travelstaytion.

The Future of Travel Infrastructure and Transportation
Hosted by Ferryhopper

Movement is the invisible thread that connects every journey. In this session, experts from Hoper, Welcome Pickups, and Aegean Airlines will examine how infrastructure is being reimagined through data, connectivity, and real time decision making. Drawing from backgrounds that span maritime intelligence, product innovation, and global travel services, the panel will consider how mobility becomes more seamless, predictive, and integrated across fragmented systems.

Christos Spatharakis, co-founder & CEO said: “Travelers experience a journey as one continuous flow, but behind the scenes, transportation and mobility remain deeply fragmented. At Ferryhopper, we’ve spent years building the infrastructure and content layer needed to unify complex ferry networks across operators, routes, and markets into one seamless experience for travelers. We’re excited to join leaders across travel and transportation to discuss how stronger digital infrastructure and better-connected systems can shape the next generation of travel”.

The Future of Cultural Experiences and Tourism
Hosted by Smartify

Beyond movement and stay lies meaning. The final session explores how culture is experienced in a digital age. With perspectives from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, the Victoria and Albert Museum, Paradox Museum, and MOMus, the discussion will reflect on how storytelling, design, and technology can deepen the relationship between audiences and cultural spaces. As institutions evolve, the question becomes not only how we visit, but how we connect.

Thanos Kokkiniotis, CEO and Co-Founder of Smartify, said: “Visitors in 2031 will have expectations that most institutions aren’t fully ready for yet. The institutions that thrive won’t be defined by the technology they adopted but by how clearly they understood what visitors actually needed, and how early they started designing for it. This event is about closing that gap by bringing together people who are wrestling with what it takes to get there, from world-leading museums to commercial experience venues. Athens feels like exactly the right place to have that conversation.”

This event is about closing the gap. The future demands technology that supports not only efficiency, but also depth, relevance, and the human experience.

“We are proud to be an Ecosystem Partner to the upcoming Panathenea Festival 2026 which will bring together visionary founders, executives and industry experts to examine the ways emerging trends will redefine the global travel and hospitality industry” said George Karantonis, Partner at Metavallon VC.

By integrating viewpoints from the fields of culture, transportation, and accommodation, the event offers a cohesive vision of tomorrow – a future where technology enhances efficiency while fostering human connection, relevance, and depth.

A networking reception will follow after the event, providing an opportunity for attendees to build meaningful relationships and explore potential future partnerships.

Secure your attendance here: https://luma.com/097fs9fa