Exploring Life & Business with Rachel Velthuisen of Essence of Elegance Travel

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Velthuisen

Hi Rachel, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My first memory of being intrigued by the idea of traveling was when my Nana came home from Antigua when I was a kid. She had such wonderful stories of the people she met and the beautiful beaches which was hard to picture being in cold Wisconsin at the time. It definitely got me thinking about what it would be like to travel.
My first trip abroad was when I was 15 years old and I did a mission trip to help build a church in a small town in Mexico. But really what got me most excited to continue traveling was when I studied abroad in Australia when I was 19 years old. I was there for 3 months in addition to stopping in New Zealand and Fiji. I got to meet my childhood pen-pal who was from Canberra, Australia. We lost touch after that but reconnected through Facebook a few years ago.
Since studying in Australia, I’ve been to 22 countries on 5 continents. I now get to take my kids to experience the wider world. I love to plan the details of all my trips, researching the options, fine tuning where we go on which day so that we’re always in the right location for the next activity instead of having to race across town to get there on-time. I would always post photos of our trips on Facebook. Family and friends started asking for copies of my itineraries and I’d even see my trips recreated on their Facebook pages. My husband got me thinking that this might be a great career option. I actually have PhD in Atmospheric Chemistry and have worked for over 20 years as an air quality consultant. With a background on project management as a consultant, I feel I have the added skills to take my love of travel and planning to have a successful business.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My biggest challenge right now is juggling being a parent of three pre-teen/teens, tackling my other job (I’m also still an air quality consultant), and growing my business. All my time after parenting and my consulting job I spend planning trips for clients. But I love it! I also have to work on my anxiety of talking with new people — I don’t have a sales background and so that can be more challenging to initiate the conversation but once I start talking about travel, I light up. Even if they’re interested in a location I haven’t yet been to (and there are so many still to go!), I can always find something exciting about travel to talk with them about.

As you know, we’re big fans of Essence of Elegance Travel. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I specialize in curating personalized journeys for working women and their families, transforming their limited time into extraordinary adventures. I pride myself on meticulous attention to detail, handling every aspect of trip planning to alleviate the stress of research and coordination for my busy clients. While I am currently focused on European destinations, my expertise extends to the Caribbean, South America, and Hawaii, with plans to expand into Australia and New Zealand. What sets me apart is my commitment to creating bespoke experiences that cater to each client’s unique desires, whether it’s a custom-tailored itinerary, a small group tour, or a serene river cruise. My brand is built on the foundation of opening doors to the extraordinary, forging deep connections through immersive travel experiences that leave an indelible mark on my clients’ hearts and minds. I’m not just planning trips; I’m crafting transformative journeys that uncover the essence of elegance in travel all while relieving the stress of planning from working women’s shoulders. Readers should know that when they choose my services, they’re entrusting their precious vacation time to a passionate expert who will turn their travel dreams into unforgettable realities, all while emphasizing personalization, unique experiences, and exceptional service. My goal is to “unlock the world” for them so they can “embrace the journey”.

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I think that sustainable travel and deeper connections to local cultures will drive vacations over the next 5-10 years. Sustainable tourism is becoming increasingly vital, with more hotels and tour operators actively working to make a positive impact on local communities while embracing eco-friendly practices. Travelers can contribute by choosing operators and accommodations that prioritize sustainability. On an individual level, we can carry reusable water bottles, avoid single-use plastics, and support the local economy by buying locally grown food, dining at farm-to-table restaurants, and opting for tours led by locals. Exploring lesser-known towns can also help spread the benefits of tourism. Many resorts and river cruises are incorporating wellness into their offerings which I think will also continue to draw travelers over the next 5 years or so. After the pandemic, travelers are looking to feel more connected in their vacations than ever before.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.eofetravel.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eofetravel/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eofetravel