Detours Gay Travel Blog
Today Marks a Special Moment in the Detours Story
- Dec 15, 2025
We’ve got some big, exciting news to share! After 13 incredible years of building Detours into the vibrant, welcoming travel community it is today, Miles has decided it is time for a new chapter and to pass the torch.
Before you worry, our Detours spirit is not going anywhere. In fact, it is growing.
We are thrilled to introduce our new owner, Daniel Naughton, who brings fresh energy, a love of travel, and a deep commitment to the community Miles helped create. This announcement comes just after our annual team retreat in Whistler, where we took time to reflect on how far we’ve come and align around what’s ahead. Below, you’ll find personal messages from both Miles and Daniel, one looking back with pride, the other looking forward with excitement.
This next chapter is full of possibilities, and we are even more excited to share it with you. Thank you for continuing to write the Detours story with us.
A Message From Miles
13 unforgettable years. For most of my adult life, I’ve been completely devoted to creating and building Detours and, more importantly, the community that has grown around it. Today, I’m excited to share an important milestone in the ongoing Detours story. I’ve made the decision to step away from the company that has given me so much and pass the torch to a new owner, a step filled with pride, nostalgia, and gratitude. What began as a simple idea has become something far greater than I ever imagined, shaped by the many thousands of travelers who’ve trusted us with their adventures, the dedicated team of friends who pour their hearts into every detail, and the partners and cheerleaders around the world who continue to support us.
As fulfilling and enjoyable as this adventure has been, it’s time for me to step back, reflect, spend time with friends and family, and, after a bit of chill time, figure out my next chapter (seriously, no big plans yet!).
What better legacy to look back on than life-changing moments shared in every corner of the world with colleagues, travelers-turned-friends, and the diverse communities who welcomed us so generously. Together, we’ve created unforgettable experiences and meaningful connections, and it has been a privilege to witness the positive impact Detours has had on so many lives.
As I transition out, I’m truly thrilled to welcome the new owner, Daniel Naughton, who brings a fresh perspective, strong vision, and a genuine passion for carrying this legacy forward, together with the same office team and trip leaders you know so well. Knowing Daniel, I’m confident he’s the right person to guide Detours into an exciting new chapter of innovation, new destinations, and continued commitment to the spirit that defines us. There are endless good things to come, and I can’t wait to watch Detours continue to grow.
I encourage you to get to know Daniel better and I know he and the entire Detours team will have exciting new things to share with you soon.
I’ll be staying on with the team until February 6 to support the transition and make sure everything keeps running smoothly.
Thank you, everyone, for an incredible 13 years, and please join me in welcoming Daniel to Detours.
Sincerely,
Miles Mitchinson
A Message From Daniel
Hi everyone,
It’s wonderful to meet you all! I’m Daniel Naughton – an American from San Francisco – and I’m beyond excited to be stepping into the role of owner at Detours. Before I even met Miles, it was clear to me that he had created something special with the Detours community and that the Detours team was incredibly good at what they do. After all, those hundreds of glowing reviews didn’t write themselves. I’m here because I believe in Detours’ mission and I want to carry it forward while adding my own energy and perspective.
I bought Detours because travel has played a steady, formative role in my life. My first introduction to group travel was at the age of 10 in 1995, when my father began managing Colgate University’s off-campus studies program in Dijon, France. I saw firsthand how spending time in a new place can broaden people’s perspectives and how important a guide can be in introducing folks to a new place. Students would arrive unsure of what to expect – only that they liked wine and croissants – but would leave more confident and engaged with the world. Even at that age, I understood that travel has a way of reshaping how people connect with each other. That early exposure stayed with me and shaped how I view the value of exploring beyond your own environment, ultimately leading me to live in Japan for two years after graduating from college.
My experience as a gay man is another major reason I felt drawn to Detours. I’ve been out since 2003, before it felt common or easy, and I know how important it is to be in spaces where you can be your whole self without hesitation. Even today, in much of the world, gay travelers often have to think about safety and acceptance in ways others do not. A company like Detours gives people the freedom to explore the world while feeling supported, understood, and safe.
After nearly twenty years in corporate roles, I reached a point in my career journey where I wanted my work to align more directly with the things I care about: travel, connection, and building environments where people can feel at home. Stepping in as owner of Detours feels like a natural fit, and I’m genuinely excited for the road ahead.
I’d like to thank Miles and Shane for trusting me to be a good steward for what they’ve built. It's clear that I've got some big shoes to fill, literally and figuratively - Miles apparently wears a US Size 13. Shane and I are already busy working with our incredible team to develop some exciting new developments that I think you’ll be very pleased with. More than anything, I’m excited to get to know all of you!
If you have any questions, feedback, or just want to say hi, please feel free to email me at daniel@detourstravel.com. I can't wait to meet you all.
Wishing you all Happy Holidays and I look forward to meeting you in the New Year.
Warmly,
Daniel Naughton
A New Chapter Together
Our team has just wrapped up its annual retreat, a chance to celebrate Miles’ incredible 13-year journey, welcome Daniel with open arms, and reconnect around the values that have always defined Detours.
That time together has left us energized and inspired by what’s ahead. The conversations have started, the ideas are taking shape, and the adventures continue. Thank you for being part of this story. We can’t wait to write the next chapter with you.