Ten Years of Out Of Office: How We’re Redefining LGBTQ+ Travel

Out Of Office turns ten. Founder Darren Burn reflects on a decade of inclusive luxury travel, the rise of LGBTQ+ family journeys, and why our work matters more than ever in a world still slow to change.

Ten years ago, I was sitting around a table with a group of friends, trying to come up with a name for a luxury, LGBTQ+ travel company. The list was long and mostly rainbow-themed. But at the last minute, just as we were about to give up, someone suggested yet another name: Out Of Office.

That was the moment it clicked. Out Of Office perfectly captured the shift from everyday routine to something freer. It’s the automated reply you append to your emails when you’re away. It gives you permission to switch off and truly disconnect from the world of work. What’s more, the word out has a lot of resonance for the LGBTQ+ community. Being out of the closet is vastly superior to being in the closet.

From the beginning, the goal was never to create a typical travel brand. It was to change the face of luxury travel, making it inclusive, safer, and more personal for those who had been overlooked for too long.

A Decade of Change and Why We Still Show Up

When we launched Out Of Office in 2016, homosexuality was still illegal in more than 70 countries. That number has barely changed. And even in destinations where legal rights exist, LGBTQ+ travelers often face unspoken risks. These can range from looks or issues at hotel check-in, the hesitation before booking a honeymoon, and the added research behind every trip, not to mention the difficulties faced in those destinations where we are persecuted just for being who we are.

That is why we exist. We are here to remove the question marks. To offer clarity, care, and confidence. Our focus is not just on where people go, but how they feel while getting there – welcomed, seen, and celebrated.

I still get a little burst of excitement when I hear about amazing client experience or read one of the hundreds of 5* Trustpilot reviews for Out Of Office we’ve received over the last few years.

The Moments That Have Mattered Most

Over the past ten years, we’ve planned honeymoons, anniversaries, weddings, family trips, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Some of the standout moments include:

• A private firework display from a boat, timed to celebrate a milestone anniversary
• A symbolic wedding ceremony in traditional Japanese style, held in a historic shrine in Kyoto with close family present
• A multi-generational family gathering in a castle in the UK countryside, complete with private chefs and curated day trips
• A huge birthday celebration in a luxury villa in St Barts, with private jets arriving from all over the world and custom-branded beach towels and bags for each guest
• An exclusive private tour of Highclere Castle with Lady Carnarvon herself, giving our clients a truly unforgettable Downton Abbey moment

Every trip we design is built with the same level of detail and care, regardless of scale. Whether it’s two people or twenty, it all starts with the same goal: to help LGBTQ+ travelers experience the world with freedom and joy.

The Rise of LGBTQ+ Family Travel

Over the past few years, we’ve seen a clear shift. More LGBTQ+ families are choosing to travel, and they are looking for trips that reflect their lives and priorities. That includes same-sex parents, solo parents by choice, and extended chosen families traveling together.

We’re planning more multi-room villas, private guided trips, and cultural itineraries that work for both adults and children. Whether it’s a safari in South Africa, a family-focused villa experience in Greece, every trip is designed to be safe, seamless, and respectful of how each family is built.

I became a parent myself for the first time in 2025 and so I have an even bigger interest now in ensuring that we make the world more accessible for same-sex parents. I went with my husband and son to the Maldives last year to visit a number of properties that we can now confidently work with in this space.

We are also seeing more interest in destinations where LGBTQ+ rights are recognized and protected. Legal frameworks and social attitudes still matter. Parents want to know they will be acknowledged as a family at the hotel desk, at passport control, and in every interaction along the way. And when that’s not possible, we are here to advise what is – when to travel through passport control separately, when to ensure you travel with a birth certificate, etc.

Chosen families are part of this too. More groups are traveling with close friends, children from previous relationships, and older relatives. These clients want flexible spaces and shared experiences that are tailored to their group, rather than built around a traditional family model.

This isn’t a niche request. It’s a growing part of luxury travel.

From Mykonos to Cabo and Beyond

Some destinations never lose their appeal. Mykonos, Sitges, and Puerto Vallarta remain perennial favorites for LGBTQ+ travelers. But our clients are always looking for new experiences with even more culture, more adventure, more surprises.

Places like Cabo, Naxos, and Sri Lanka are rising fast. Out Of Office travelers want experiences that go beyond the expected, and that includes keeping up with the latest luxury travel destinations.

Our Most Popular Destinations

Italy and Greece remain top of the list. Their mix of history, food, and romance is hard to beat. The Maldives continues to be incredibly popular, especially with honeymooners and now with LGBTQ+ families as more properties actively welcome same-sex couples and parents.

Thailand has seen a surge in interest since passing its marriage equality law, and South Africa remains a strong choice with its unbeatable mix of safaris and the Winelands.

Looking Ahead

Ten years in, and I still feel like we are just getting started.

Out Of Office has grown from an idea into a global brand, trusted by clients around the world who want to travel wherever, with whoever, in comfort and confidence. Our community has expanded, and the demand for inclusive travel has never been stronger.

But the need for what we do remains as urgent as ever. In the decade since we launched, only a handful of countries have made meaningful progress when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights. In too many places, it is still illegal to be who we are or love who we love. That reality shapes how we plan, where we recommend, and the care we take with every itinerary.

We will keep doing the work. From navigating complex legal landscapes to building relationships with trusted partners on the ground, we will continue to create travel experiences that are thoughtful, safe, and designed around each traveler’s needs.

The world may not have changed as quickly as we hoped. And we are more focused than ever on helping our clients explore it on their own terms.

Thank You

To every client, partner, and friend who’s been part of the journey – thank you.

Here’s to the next chapter. To more freedom. More connection. And more unforgettable adventures.

Darren