When I set up OutOfOffice.com, it was clear there wasn’t a suitable tailor-made, luxury travel company that tailored to the LGBT travel market. Our aim is to ensure that all our customers receive the best possible service and advice – no matter where they wish to travel in the world and no matter who they love.

With the LGBT travel industry estimated to worth a staggering six billion in the UK alone, it’s no surprise that Out Of Office, a travel agency focusing on the gay market, has been such a resounding success.

It would be churlish to ignore the fantastic progression on LGBT rights and acceptance over recent years, perhaps explaining why the agency came along when it did. While you might have expected such a company to already be taking advantage of such a lucrative market, founder Darren Burn certainly saw an opportunity. ‘When I set up OutOfOffice.com, it was clear there wasn’t a suitable tailor-made, luxury travel company that tailored to the LGBT travel market. Our aim is to ensure that all our customers receive the best possible service and advice – no matter where they wish to travel in the world and no matter who they love.’

While the products themselves are varied and of an unquestionably high quality, the superlative USP of Out Of Office is their focus on the customer experience. They religiously research and vet all their suppliers and properties to ensure their customers will be welcomed wherever they go. Training is also given to owners and employees, making sure that they are fully compliant in understanding and respecting their LGBT visitors.

The company also stresses that it is not exclusively for the LGBT community and offers a range of holiday and trips for heterosexual travellers and families. It’s an interesting quirk for a gay travel agency but one which really highlights how greatly they are striving to differentiate themselves and offer something quite unique.

Customers seem to be thrilled with the product, receiving a 5-star excellent rating on Trust Pilot. A cursory glance through the reviews and you’ll quickly see they receive lots of feedback on their superior customer service – an aspect of their business model which they clearly work hard on.

While the trips aren’t necessarily cheap, that isn’t the market they are trying to attract. This isn’t a trope exclusive to Out Of Office either, with nearly all budget travel now booked independently. But for those looking for superior customer service and the assurance of an LGBT-friendly trip, Out Of Office reigns king in the world of gay travel.

Out of Office is a new and one-of-a-kind online agency that offers more than 100 different LGBT-friendly travel packages in more than 30 countries. The company launched in 2015 and we met the founder Darren in Berlin in February 2015. The project is a labor of love but they have now become the only mainstream online travel agency targeted specifically at the LGBT market. More than just trying to sell their packages to the gays, they've specifically identified and selected hotels, tour operators and suppliers that understand the unique challenges of traveling as an LGBT person. They offer a range of products from both gay and non-gay owned companies and providers, but you can rest assured that any product is gay-friendly and designed specifically for you.

Darren's vision is for Out of Office to be the first port of call for gay travelers looking to experience something a little different to what’s been on offer previously. He's worked tirelessly to build some really innovative itineraries and almost everything about a trip can be customized. Most of the destinations they cover are suitable for everyone, regardless of who you love, and in many instances they're using trendier boutique hotels rather than large chains which adds a personal touch.

They pride themselves in working only with suppliers who welcome everyone, regardless of who you love. All itineraries are built from the ground up with gay people in mind but open to all. From the Galapagos to Cambodia, from Australia to Canada, all itineraries have been built to give you inspiration and put experiential travel back into the heart of travel.

There’s nothing better than escaping on holiday with that special someone. Whether it's a beach, a city break or an adventure, Out of Office will help you discover these romantic destinations and ensure you are able to enjoy with your husband, wife, boyfriend or girlfriend no matter who you love. No matter whether you’re gay or straight all their itineraries are built with you in mind. Enjoy trips to England, Scotland, Spain, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Greece, the US, Italy, Iceland and more!

Thailand is one thing: Simply Amazing! You can find everything there including romance, nightlife, hidden treasures and peaceful islands. It's an incredible country and among its Asian neighbors is one of the more open and accepting cultures in the region. It's about as gay friendly as you can get in Asia and places like Bangkok and Phuket are top picks. Pristine blue waters can be found in the islands of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao and the photo opportunities will make your friends jealous. Whether you want to soak up the sunshine in the south and or experience the varied landscape of the north in Chiang Mai, Thailand has so much to offer and you'll find everything you need to book the perfect vacation.