One-on-One with Agnes Siarkiewicz

1. What was the biggest early influence that sparked your desire to travel?

My desire to travel has always come from a deep explorer’s spirit.

Ever since I was young, I’ve been driven by curiosity—the constant need to know what’s around the corner, whether it’s in my own neighborhood or on the other side of the world.

Growing up in Poland during a time when traveling abroad was not possible had a huge impact on me. At the time, even summer trips to the mountains or the seaside felt like a privilege. Because international travel was out of reach for so long, it became even more exciting and meaningful in my imagination.

When the borders finally opened, I wanted to see everything. Although the economy was still developing and the Polish currency was weak, which made travel difficult, I found creative ways to make it happen. During college, I travelled across Europe with friends—ten people in one car, almost no money, endless optimism, and very low expectations.

Those experiences taught me that adventure comes from curiosity, resourcefulness, and openness to the unknown.In many ways, the years of restriction made travel feel even more precious, and that sense of excitement has stayed with me ever since.

2. What was the most important turning point in your professional travel career?

The most important turning point in my professional journey was moving from Poland to the United States after living in the same city for 40 years.Up until that moment, my entire professional life had been deeply connected to Poland—its culture, language, and local way of doing business.

Relocating to the U.S. meant stepping far outside of my comfort zone and, in many ways, rebuilding my career from the ground up.Instead of seeing that as a setback, I saw it as an opportunity to align my professional path with my personal passion for travel and exploration. I realized I wanted to do something more international, something that connected people, cultures, and experiences.That is what led me to the hospitality industry.

For me, working in hospitality has been an exciting adventure from the very beginning because it combines professional growth with the joy of creating memorable experiences for others from around the world.

At my core, I still carry the same childlike curiosity to discover what’s behind the next corner. That sense of wonder has never changed.What has changed is the way I choose to travel. Over the years, I’ve become more drawn to authentic, less touristy places rather than crowded destinations.

While I still enjoy visiting great cities for their art, architecture, and food, when I travel with intention, I prefer quiet places in nature.I especially love walking through forests, along beaches, and in landscapes that feel untouched by human activity. For me, those places offer a deeper sense of peace and connection.

In fact, the forest behind my house is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful places on earth. It reminds me that travel is not always about going far away. Sometimes, the real evolution in travel is learning how to truly appreciate the beauty of what already exists.