The “Artificial Intelligence Robot Conveying Gastronomy Heritage (GastroMAYZ)” project, led by Prof. Dr. Serkan Bertan, Dean of the Faculty of Tourism at Pamukkale University, was developed to highlight Denizli’s forgotten local flavors. The project aims to provide information about the stories, characteristics, and preparation of local flavors found in Denizli cuisine, while increasing access to and awareness of local flavors.

Prof. Dr. Bertan stated that this project, developed to ensure that local flavors, which represent the most important aspects of our accumulated cultural heritage, are not forgotten over time, will make Denizli’s local flavors more visible and help pass them on to future generations. He said:

“With the gastronomy artificial intelligence robot, visitors will be able to access detailed and reliable information about local gastronomic values easily and quickly. By creating positive effects in the digital transformation of Denizli’s gastronomy tourism and integrating the province’s gastronomic values with artificial intelligence, it will serve as a model that supports Denizli’s competitiveness.”

Providing information about the objectives to be achieved through the Artificial Intelligence Robot Conveying Denizli Gastronomy (GastroMAYZ), Prof. Dr. Serkan Bertan stated:

“With structured information about forgotten local flavors, the visibility of gastronomy heritage will increase, and through GastroMAYZ, visitors will be able to access the stories, preparation methods, required ingredients, and characteristics of local flavors. Local flavors will be made visible and sustainably passed on to future generations. GastroMAYZ’s responses will guide consumers by providing a competitive advantage for Denizli gastronomy tourism. Gastronomy tourism travel planning for our province will be facilitated. Detailed and reliable information for Denizli gastronomy tourism will be provided easily and quickly, and travel recommendations will be offered. Denizli gastronomy tourism experiences will be improved, and a reliable, data-based, multilingual, and user-oriented artificial intelligence chatbot specific to Denizli gastronomy tourism will be developed.

Information will be provided about Denizli products with geographical indications, and a dataset will be created by determining subheadings for geographically indicated products. Flavors that are on the verge of being forgotten will be revived, while awareness and consciousness of Denizli’s gastronomic experiences will be increased. Kitchen tools and equipment will be introduced. The experience-oriented ‘Pick-your-own’ model in villages will be supported. Emphasis will be placed on the ‘come and get it from the village’ model for rural development.

Visitors will be able to access the information they need without time and location constraints, and their satisfaction with their gastronomic experiences will be increased. Contributions will be made to the better promotion and recognition of Denizli cuisine. Information will be provided about Denizli food culture and centuries-old food and beverage establishments. Destination loyalty will be fostered through local foods and gastronomic experiences. Personalized services and experiences will be offered, with recommendations based on individual preferences. The intention to travel to our province for gastronomic purposes will be encouraged. Contributions will be made to the better promotion and recognition of our province’s gastronomy. Gastronomy travel to our province will be supported.

With the ‘Artificial Intelligence Robot Conveying Gastronomy Heritage (GastroMAYZ)’ to be developed, our province’s gastronomy tourism potential will become visible and local flavors will be brought into tourism. The artificial intelligence robot will be made available at https://mayztourism.com/ to preserve local flavors and pass them on to future generations.”