Two seas.
One philosophy.

Afroditi Kazakou

Head of Marketing, Customer Experience & Innovation

Afroditi’s journey to AIyachts is a story shaped by sailing, place identity, and a lifelong fascination with how people create and share meaningful experiences.

Afroditi brings to AIyachts a deep love for classic yachts’ sailing, a respect for maritime heritage, and a commitment to co-creating journeys that feel authentic and personal. She believes that the stronger the network — from skippers and mechanics to local F&B, accommodation providers, and island communities — the richer the stories guests can live. Her work ethic is defined by care, precision, and pride in place; a belief that Greek islands deserve to be experienced with honesty, not clichés.

A researcher and tutor at Manchester Metropolitan University, she specialises in innovation, knowledge transfer, and the development of stakeholder networks in niche tourism sectors. Her work explores how strong relationships between local businesses, professionals, communities, and regional actors create the conditions for new knowledge, better experiences, and meaningful collaboration — the very principles that shape AIyachts today.

Through research, teaching, and an instinctive connection to the sea, Afroditi ensures that every journey becomes more than a holiday — it becomes a shared narrative shaped by people, culture, and the quiet magic of the Ionian and Aegean seas.

Ilias Tzannetoulakos

Head of Maritime Operations

Ilias is the mentor behind AIyachts — a skipper shaped by a lifetime at sea and a family legacy rooted in Greek maritime and yachting. Born in Piraeus and raised on boats, his journey began in the early 1980s, when his family started offering crewed and bareboat charters across Greece and abroad. What followed was a natural progression: an offshore sailing diploma, racing with university teams in the UK and Greece, yacht deliveries, and eventually the founding of his own charter company, which operated successfully for more than fifteen years.

Today, Ilias brings to AIyachts a rare blend of academic insight and deep practical knowledge. His background in Maritime Business, Social Sciences, and Political Philosophy enriches his approach to leadership, problem-solving, and long-term development. But at his core, Ilias is a sailor — someone who teaches guests to navigate with pencil and compass, who knows every sound a boat makes, and who treats maintenance as an act of care rather than obligation.

His work ethic is defined by precision, responsibility, and genuine meraki. Whether he’s improving vessel performance, coordinating winterisation plans, or exploring new investment opportunities for the company, Ilias drives AIyachts forward with vision and competitiveness. For him, sailing is not just a profession; it’s a lifelong commitment to craftsmanship, growth, and the sea itself.