Jeanne Alspaugh
The world of travel isn’t my first career, but it’s one that is a natural fit for me. Before joining Protravel International, I spent 29 years in the customer service industry; during that time, I prided myself on providing nothing less than excellence for all of my clients. Now that travel planning is my focus, this dedication to my clients has proven more important than ever. I’ve been able to draw upon my talent for problem solving, coupled with the integrity and trust that are the tenets of my approach to business, to help people plan and enjoy truly unforgettable vacation experiences.
A little bit about me: I grew up in Michigan, moved to California as a young adult and currently reside in Scottsdale, Arizona. (I’m definitely a fan of warmer weather!) I’ve been married to John for over 20 years. In addition to a lifelong love of traveling, I enjoy spending time outdoors with friends and family, as well as my dog Addie.
If you ask me to pick my favorite travel destination, I’d have to choose Hawai’i. I studied Hula and culture with an amazing group of ladies for six years, and we traveled to several of the islands and experienced the culture, adventure and sense of family and inclusion that defines this incredible state.
I have a deep and meaningful bond with Hawai’i, and my “soul" focus is to provide both first-time visitors and seasoned travelers with a unique, customized and culturally diverse experience in all of its islands. It’s easy enough to visit Hawai’i as a “tourist”; my desire is to help my clients go beneath the surface and enjoy the “real deal”. I tailor vacations on each client’s particular needs and interests; for an active family of four, I chartered an exhilarating helicopter ride over the active Kilauea volcano on the Big Island. For a girls’ getaway, I planned a more culturally focused vacation that features close proximity to the beach and to great shopping opportunities - guaranteeing something for everyone to treasure. One of the Hawaiian travel opportunities I recommend most highly involves sailing on the Big Island as many of the early Hawaiians did, on a single-masted ship. It’s a great experience for honeymoon couples and families alike.
In 2016, I was delighted to achieve Master Status for the island of O’ahu, designated by the Hawai’i Destination Specialist Program. This represented the culmination of a lot of hard work and educational training regarding the history and culture of the island. As an O’ahu Island Master Specialist, I’m able to offer my clients the very highest level of expertise about this one-of-a-kind destination.
While Hawai’i has a special place in my heart, it’s not the only place that holds meaning for me. My parents divorced when I was three years old, and as a result, I never had the opportunity to travel with the two of them together. They’d spent part of their honeymoon in Northern Ontario, Canada, and I summered there with my father for several years as a child and a teenager, so it was a place that held a lot of memories for all of us. In the summer of 2007, I returned to Northern Ontario - this time with my husband and both of my parents. The hotel rooms were divided up: guys with guys and girls with girls. It was a wonderful trip. My mother passed away in 2015, and I often look back fondly on the times I shared with her that summer. I also draw upon this trip any time I am asked to plan a multigenerational vacation. The bottom line: don’t ever wait to plan trips like this, because you never know. Enjoy your family while they are here, because you will ALWAYS have those memories.
My own experiences have inspired me to try to give back to the community as much as possible - both within the travel industry and outside of it. In 2017, I became a Certified Autism Travel Professional through IBCCES.org, a distinction that is truly meaningful to me. I have also been actively involved in my local community in Scottsdale, and have been a volunteer with Camelot Therapeutic Horsemanship in Scottsdale, AZ for over 13 years.
Whatever your reason for traveling - a romantic honeymoon, a fun family adventure or a chance to cross something off your “bucket list” - I would be honored to help you create lasting memories.