On May 19, 2025, Agoda turned 20. That’s two decades of redefining travel and helping people to see the world for less! Of course, we couldn’t let this milestone pass us by. In honor of Agoda’s 20th birthday, we spent the month reflecting, celebrating and giving back to the communities we serve.
From epic travel deals to parading through the office with saxophones (yes, really!), here’s how we marked this unforgettable chapter in Agoda’s story.
Giving back to Phuket
Agoda’s story started in Phuket, Thailand, where co-founder Michael Kenny started PlanetHoliday, the company that would later become Agoda. In homage to our beginnings, we hosted a charity raffle and partnered with Scholars of Sustenance Thailand to deliver 20,000 meals to underserved communities in Phuket. This initiative celebrated our legacy by supporting the place where Agoda’s journey first began.
Honoring our Thai roots with a traditional ceremony
We were honored to celebrate Agoda’s birthday with a traditional Buddhist monk blessing ceremony (พิธีทำบุญถวายสังฆทานและภัตตาหารแด่พระสงฆ์) open to all Agodans in our Bangkok office. Rooted in Thai culture, this important tradition offers a moment to express gratitude and invite positive energy for the years ahead.
Telling the story of Agoda’s past, present, and future
20 years, countless memories. We dove into the archives to celebrate how far we’ve come, reflecting on stories from across the company.
“A Moment I’ll Never Forget”: Agoda’s Culture, 20 Years On
It’s been a long journey, but some Agodans have been with us from the very start. From navigating crises to unexpected pivots, our longest-serving employees share their most unforgettable Agoda stories.
Agoda’s Story: 20 Years of Bridging the World Through Travel
Retrace Agoda’s origins in Phuket and the company’s key milestones, from tech innovations to global expansion.
In Conversation with Our Founding Leaders
Agoda’s past and present leaders sit down to share stories about the company’s culture, pivotal moments, and scrappy start-up days.
With Robert Rosenstein, Agoda’s Co-Founder and Chairman
Did Agoda really start over beers in Phuket? What’s the story behind the name Agoda? And if Robert had a time machine, would he still choose Thailand to co-found Agoda? Our CEO Omri Morgenshtern reunites with Robert for a chat packed with fun facts, nostalgia, and a few surprises.
With Joost Doevelaar, Agoda’s Founding Chief Tech Officer
Our CTO Idan Zalzberg dives into Agoda’s tech history with Joost, our founding CTO (2005–2012). What’s the longest-surviving system at Agoda? What’s an example of a system built entirely in-house? This episode is packed with insights and a whole lot of nostalgia.
Celebrating Agoda’s 20th birthday with our biggest sale ever
Agoda wouldn’t be Agoda without some truly great deals. True to our spirit, we launched our biggest sale ever from May 7–20, offering travelers up to 60% off hotels, flights, and activities. On May 21, the savings jumped to 70% on Agoda.com and the app. After all, what better way to celebrate 20 years than by helping people see the world for (even) less?
Bringing the party to work
Agoda’s 20th birthday lined up perfectly with the start of AgodaFest season: our annual company party hosted across offices worldwide. In Bangkok, the festivities kicked off with a bang as a colorful parade swept through every floor of our office. Live singers, saxophonists, drummers, and dancers turned our space into a tropical carnival. It was the perfect prelude to AgodaFest 2025: Island Glow.
Even Agoda’s C-suite leaders joined the fun, handing out cupcakes to everyone and special gifts to employees celebrating their own birthdays that week. Because nothing says “Happy Birthday” like a dance party… and your CFO offering you a cupcake mid-saxophone solo!
Agoda’s 20th birthday is just the beginning
Even as Agoda’s 20th birthday celebrations come to a close, we’re already setting our sights on the future. Together, we’ll continue to innovate, provide best-in-class experiences, and build travel for the world.
Join us at Agoda, where we’re building the future of global travel. We’re hiring!
