YTB International Contemplates Implementation of Franchises

August 5th, 2008
YTB International Contemplates Implementation of Franchises

Company Considers Adopting Franchise Operating System in 2009

WOOD RIVER, Ill., July 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — YTB International, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: YTBLA) (’YTB’ or the ‘Company’), a provider of Internet-based travel booking services for travel agencies and home-based independent representatives in the United States, Bermuda, the Bahamas, and Canada, today announced that the Company is contemplating the replacement of its referring travel agent (’RTA’) business model with the implementation of a franchise operating system, potentially in 2009. The Company expects that a franchising model, if adopted, would facilitate the Company’s expansion into additional markets by providing more comprehensive training and a new proprietary e-commerce platform.

Details regarding price, product offerings and the conversion plan are all under consideration, but the Company anticipates that its existing RTA base would be treated favorably under its forthcoming proposal. Scott Tomer, Chief Executive Officer of YTB International, Inc. commented, ‘We have retained iFranchise of Chicago to consult in the planning and development of the franchise model and are excited about the potential impact on YTB’s business.’ If a franchising model is adopted, its distribution is expected to be managed by the current marketing arm of the Company, YourTravelBiz.com, also known as YTB.com

The iFranchise Group brings decades of experience to franchise development and implementation efforts. Their consultants have worked with over 30 Fortune 2000 companies and with 98 of the world’s top 200 franchisors as rated by Franchise Times magazine. iFranchise has worked with clients such as Blockbuster Video, Ace Hardware, and McDonald’s.

About YTB International

Recognized as the 26th largest seller of travel in the U.S. for travel sales reported in 2007 by Travel Weekly, YTB International, Inc. provides Internet-based travel booking services for home-based independent representatives in the United States, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, Canada, Bermuda, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The Company operates through three subsidiaries: YourTravelBiz.com, Inc., YTB Travel Network, Inc., and REZconnect Technologies, Inc. YourTravelBiz.com focuses on marketing online travel websites through a nationwide network of independent business people, known as ‘Reps.’ YTB Travel Network establishes and maintains travel vendor relationships, processes travel transactions of online travel agents and affiliates, collects travel commissions and pays sales commissions. Each RTA directs consumers to the YTB Internet-based travel website. The REZconnect Technologies division operates as a travel vendor relationship management company and offers franchises of brick and mortar travel agencies. For more information, visit http://www.ytbi.com/investor.

Statements about the Company’s future expectations, including future revenues and earnings, and all other statements in this press release other than historical facts are ‘forward-looking statements’ within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange of 1934, and as that term is defined in the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, and the Company’s actual results could differ materially from expected results. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequently occurring events or circumstances.

SOURCE YTB International, Inc.

 

Source: PR Newswire (July 15, 2008 - 11:34 AM EDT)

Sports Travel Revolution

May 31st, 2008

With the Your Travel Biz’ (YTB) announcement on May 13th, of a partnership with the Kansas City Chiefs, a tsunami was started in the sports industry.

What we are looking at today could be a huge revenue producer for all sports teams that take advantage of this incredible travel opportunity. Here’s how it works. YTB creates a branded travel portal for the team and allows them the ability to have any one mainly fans to book travel through their site, they earn a commission and offer some special team related perks. It’s a Win/Win, the fans support their team, the team has a new revenue source and has a chance to offer some great benefits back to the fans.

The travel portal offers a way to make travel arrangements, book vacation packages, car rentals, hotels, airfare, and much more, just like Expedia and Orbitz. Now, instead of Expedia and Orbitz getting the travel commission, the organization will get it.

Take a look at the Kansas City Chief’s new travel website at ChiefsTravel.com, the Chiefs are giving fans more incentive to make their travel plans through their site with Away Game Packages, Home Game Packages, Group Travel to Arrowhead Stadium, even a Cruise with the Chiefs. Why wouldn’t a raving fan who buys tons of Chiefs apparel and face paint book travel through them. If you have a stadium full of these loyal fans, it only makes sense to give them a way to make their travel plans.

Chiefs Travel Site

This is just the first of many sports teams that are going to just onboard with this program. Not only can your fans make their travel arrangements for the games, but think about it. Once they use the new site, why would they go to another travel site. That means they will book their family vacations, they will tell their friends and family about it. This stands to be huge revenue source for sports team.

And if you are wondering about pricing…That’s a shocker you won’t believe! You will just have to call to find out.

 Get More Information Here

Google To Take Over Marketing Travel Destinations Through Video?

May 29th, 2008

“Fueling Google’s travel plans is consumers move to researching and booking vacations online. In 2007, more travel sales were booked online than in person, says Google’s Rob Torres. “That means travel marketers, many of whom already spend millions on search ads and the like, will likely shift more of their budgets to the Web…rather than try to convince travel marketers to advertise on user-generated videos, they can sell sponsored destination pages on YouTube where travel marketers can post their own videos and influence or control what types of content users upload.”

Read the full article at http://www.4hoteliers.com/4hots_fshw.php?mwi=3067

With so many huge investors flocking to the Travel Industry, isn’t it time that you jumped onboard to stake your claim and get a piece of the ever growing travel industry. Think about it, investor like Forbes, Trump, now Google, even Magic Johnson has his own travel company.

They all see the potential, why don’t you?

Let’s build a travel business together go to Start a Travel Agency and get your free success guide

Chiefs, YTB International, Inc. Launch Innovative Travel Partnership

May 28th, 2008
Chiefs, YTB International, Inc. Launch Innovative Travel Partnership

Fans Already Book Travel Online - Now Chiefs’ Travel Site Provides Competitive Rates and Allows Loyal Fans a Unique Opportunity to Make Dreams Come True

ST. LOUIS, May 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — The Kansas City Chiefs have launched an innovative travel partnership with YTB Travel Network, Inc. — a wholly owned subsidiary of YTB International, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: YTBLA) (’YTB’ or the ‘Company’). YTB will administer the Chiefs on-line and fan-based travel. The Chiefs travel website, www.ChiefsTravel.com, will provide the Chiefs loyal fans with the opportunity to book all their business and personal travel while offering multiple entry opportunities to win Game Day Packages, a ‘Suite Experience,’ autographed memorabilia, the opportunity to become a ‘Chief for a Day,’ a cabin on a Chiefs celebrity cruise and more.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080513/NYTU007 )

‘Fan support at home and also on the road has been a vital ingredient in the success of this franchise over the last 20 years,’ said Chiefs President Carl Peterson. ‘Moreover, with this new travel program we can reward our fans for that support, as each time they book travel — whether business or personal, related to Chiefs games or not — they have the opportunity to win any number of special prizes from watching a preseason game from a luxury suite, becoming a Chiefs player for a day and enjoying other fan friendly experiences.’

The Chiefs Travel Web site offers competitive rates on the top airlines, thousands of hotels and many rental car companies, as well as a wide selection of offerings by leading vacation package providers and cruise lines. Site visitors will still enjoy the ability to earn airline miles, rental car and hotel points that they typically receive. In addition, the Chiefs will be offering celebrity cruises, featuring Pro Football Hall of Fame LB Bobby Bell, current players and special guests. Also, the site offers options such as exclusive tour packages to China and Europe, limousine service, restaurant reservations, golf tee times and vacation packages, flowers, gift baskets, concert tickets, passports, airport parking and much more. Each purchase will qualify a fan to enter the Chiefs giveaways.

‘We at YTB and our outside representatives are excited by our partnership agreement with the Kansas City Chiefs and the opportunity to enhance the fans’ travel experience throughout the year,’ stated J. Kim Sorensen, President, and CEO of YTB Travel Network, Inc. ‘There are Kansas City Chiefs season ticket holders across the country and Chiefs fans throughout the world. We welcome the opportunity to serve all the travel needs of every Chiefs fan and to further strengthen the Chiefs relationship with their loyal fans.’

About YTB International

YTB International, Inc. is ranked among the top travel providers in the nation. YTB provides Internet-based travel booking services for representatives in the United States, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, Canada, Bermuda, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

YTB operates through three subsidiaries: YourTravelBiz.com, Inc., YTB Travel Network, Inc., and REZconnect Technologies, Inc. YourTravelBiz.com focuses on marketing online travel websites through a nationwide group of independent business people. YTB Travel Network, Inc. establishes and maintains travel vendor relationships, processes travel transactions of online travel agents and affiliates, collects travel commissions and pays sales commissions. Each independent-business person directs consumers to the YTB Internet-based travel website. REZconnect Technologies hosts a travel agency for traditional travel agents and offers franchises of brick and mortar travel agencies. For more information, visit http://www.ytbi.com/investor.

    Media Contacts:
    High Impact Marketing
    mark@himemail.com

    Marcia Dempsey
    Director of Public Relations
    YourTravelBiz.com
    618.216.4646
    mdempsey@ytb.com
    ytbi.com/investor/

    Investor Contact:
    Garth Russell/Yemi Rose
    KCSA Worldwide for YTB International, Inc.
    212.896.1250 / 212.896.1233

SOURCE YTB International, Inc.

 

Source: PR Newswire (May 13, 2008 - 8:57 AM EDT)

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YTB International Announces Financial Results for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2008

May 28th, 2008
WOOD RIVER, Ill., May 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — YTB International, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: YTBLA) (’YTB’ or the ‘Company’), a provider of Internet-based travel booking services for travel agencies and home-based independent representatives in the United States, Puerto Rico, Bermuda, the Bahamas, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Canada, today announced its financial results for the three month period ended March 31, 2008.

Total revenue for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 increased 76.7% to $42.7 million, compared to $24.2 million for the first quarter last year. The Company’s property and equipment increased from the December 31, 2007 balance of $15.4 million to $18.9 million as of March 31, 2008 or 22.7%. The number of RTAs increased to 138,814 in the first quarter of 2008 from 82,932 in the comparable quarter of 2007. The Company believes the significant increased number of RTAs is attributable to the emerging market shift for travel services to the Internet.

Net loss for the first quarter of 2008 was $3.5 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $2.2 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2007. The loss is primarily attributable to stock awards, and promotional and expansion expenses totaling approximately $3.1 million. As of March 31, 2008, the Company had $1.3 million in cash and cash equivalents. Net cash used in investing activities was $4.1 million during the first quarter of 2008 compared to $1.3 million used in the first quarter of 2007.

Scott Tomer, Chief Executive Officer of YTB, commented on the first quarter results, stating, ‘We are pleased by the significant increase that we experienced in our top-line results during the quarter. This growth speaks directly to the demand for our travel related services, and our ability to meet or exceed specific sales growth objectives through diligent execution. We are acutely aware that sustainable growth requires reinvestment in our company, and with this in mind, we incurred several charges during the quarter, directly related to the promotion of our brand, and the retention of our top performers and personnel. During the quarter, we also incurred expenses related to our expansion into three new countries to help build our international presence. Primarily due to these investments in our company, we reported a loss for the quarter.’

Mr. Tomer continued, ‘During this first quarter we continued to focus on the sale of travel by our RTAs, as well as the strengthening of our executive team. We welcomed two new members to our Board of Directors, Mr. Paul Hemings and Mr. Burt Saunders, and we are excited by the valuable experience that they bring from their respective fields. Looking forward, we plan on continuing to execute our stated mission to revolutionize the travel field by offering affordable travel and unique opportunities for motivated individuals to participate within this burgeoning industry.

‘We see our recent move to the Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board as a positive step forward for us, and welcome the new investors that are now able to participate in the growth of our company.’

About YTB International

Recognized as the 35th largest seller of travel in the U.S. in 2006 by Travel Weekly, YTB International, Inc. provides Internet-based travel booking services for home-based independent representatives in the United States, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, Canada, Bermuda, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The Company operates through three subsidiaries: YourTravelBiz.com, Inc., YTB Travel Network, Inc., and REZconnect Technologies, Inc. YourTravelBiz.com focuses on marketing online travel websites through a nationwide network of independent business people, known as ‘Reps.’ YTB Travel Network establishes and maintains travel vendor relationships, processes travel transactions of online travel agents and affiliates, collects travel commissions and pays sales commissions. Each RTA directs consumers to the YTB Internet-based travel website. The REZconnect Technologies division operates as a travel vendor relationship management company and offers franchises of brick and mortar travel agencies. For more information, visit http://www.ytbi.com/investor.

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