From 15 Months of Travel to 15 Years at Agoda: My Story 

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2025 is a new year, and a significant one for me as I will be celebrating 15 years at Agoda. Reflecting on this, I’m reminded of how Agoda’s purpose, Bridging the World Through Travel, resonates with my personal journey. 

Years ago, I took a career break to travel the world for 15 months. What stayed with me wasn’t the sights and landmarks. It was the people, and many memories continue to stand out for me.  

I remember the simple pleasures of playing with a bunch of balloons with children in Tanzania, talking about life with a monk in Myanmar, and laughing with a Vietnamese woman over a shared funny experience, even though we didn’t speak the same language.

In those shared moments, there were no barriers—just pure human connection. What struck me the most was how much we had in common despite our differences.

That 15-month experience changed me. It made me more tolerant, more open to different perspectives, and more empathetic to the diverse ways people approach life. It also ignited a passion for connecting with other cultures, a passion that has kept me at Agoda for 15 years. 

Bridging the World Through Travel: The People Team’s Role and Purpose 

Agoda’s purpose isn’t just about connecting travelers to destinations. It’s also about connecting people to opportunities, cultures, and experiences 

That’s precisely what we do within the People team every day. I’ve had the privilege of leading the Talent Acquisition team in my current role for over a year now, and I remain in awe of our impact in bringing Agoda’s purpose to life. 

1. Hiring globally, building diversity

We hire the best talent from around the globe, bringing together individuals from over 90 nationalities. This diversity is one of Agoda’s greatest strengths. It allows us to create a workplace where different perspectives, ideas, and cultures come together to build travel for the world, innovate, and grow.

2. Welcoming talent, changing lives

With offices in nearly 30 countries around the world, we welcome hundreds of new joiners from around the world to Agoda.  

For many of our employees, embarking on a career journey with Agoda often involves relocating to a new country. This includes Bangkok, Thailand, where our Global Operations Center is located, and where 3,000 members of our global workforce call home. 

For many, this is more than just a career move. It’s a life-changing experience. Relocating to a new country opens up opportunities to immerse yourself in a different culture, build new connections, and grow personally and professionally. 

Celebrating Songkran at our Agoda Bangkok office and marking the start of the Thai New Year.

3. Creating a ripple effect

The impact of our work doesn’t stop at Agoda. When employees join us, they bring their unique perspectives and experiences to our workplace, enriching our culture and helping us grow. In turn, they return these experiences to their families, friends, and communities, creating a ripple effect of positive influence. 

4. Fostering connection and belonging

Our team works hard to ensure that every new hire feels welcomed and supported, no matter where they come from. From onboarding programs to cultural integration initiatives, we help employees build connections and feel a sense of belonging. This is especially important for those relocating to a new country, as it helps them settle in and thrive in their new environment. 

Jose (right) at AgodaFest 2011, our first annual staff party in Bangkok.
Jose (far right) at AgodaFest 2024 in Bangkok.

5. Empowering growth and development

At Agoda, we believe in investing in our people. We empower employees to grow and achieve their full potential through training programs, mentorship opportunities, and career development initiatives. This benefits individuals and strengthens Agoda as a whole, enabling us to continue delivering on our purpose. 

For many of us, joining Agoda isn’t just a career move. It’s a life-changing experience. We each learn from our colleagues’ diverse perspectives, enriching our understanding of the world. In turn, we take these experiences back to positively influence others. 

From hiring globally to fostering belonging, our work ensures that Agoda is a great place to work and where people can grow, connect, and thrive. Every hire we make, every relocation we support, and every connection we foster brings us one step closer to bridging the world through travel. 

We’d love to hear from you if you resonate with our purpose and share our passion for travel. At Agoda, we’re always looking for talented individuals who want to make a difference.

About the Author

Jose Camacho is a Senior Director of Talent Acquisition at Agoda.

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