Just Picture It Now: July 2008

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Thou Shalt Do "The Dance"

Every once in a while I do “The Dance”. My kids think its funny (just wait til they get older) and yesterday we had a lot of fun. I had a couple of reasons for doing the “The Dance”, and the kids pulled out “Evan Almighty” yesterday afternoon while I was busy on the phone and outlining the post for today.

Do you remember back in January when Carnival made the announcement concerning minimum booking requirements? It was speculated back in October that suppliers would follow Royal Caribbean’s lead and pull the plug on Travel MLM’s. Now almost a year later, it looks as if throwing “the problem” overboard proved to be costly. While another Cruise line solved “the problem” on January 9th when new CEO Gerry Cahill eliminated the abuse yet saved the account for future growth and profits.

Now it’s important to keep the supplier problem verses solution in mind as we move on to today’s topic. (Success leaves clues.)

Yesterday afternoon, CLIA stepped up to the plate and offered a very solid solution which I believe will have long lasting and very beneficial effects for everyone in the industry. (Well, almost everyone, but more on that in a minute.)

I first caught the story in Travel Weekly, and after doing a little research I found the new policy directly off CLIA’s web site. I’ll let you read both stories on your own, but I want to get to the meat of what this is all about.

“2009 ID Card applicants are required to be enrolled in, or to have achieved a designation (ACC, MCC, ECC, ECCS) in CLIA’s Cruise Counsellor Certification Program. Attainment of an ACC designation requires a program of mandatory and elective training options as well personal cruise experience, shipboard inspections and 25 cabin sales within the two year enrollment period.”

How do you like them apples? Just think. Nobody has to double dog dare anyone any longer about whether or not they actually know what their doing, if they are taking unfair advantage of the industry without giving back, or pretend that we’re only referring people to a simple web site to book a cruise without any support.

This solution clearly separates the pretenders from the players in the Travel Industry, and with the new Certification requirements that everyone will be able to follow and understand, suppliers will be able to tell exactly who is serious and who is not.

We’ve gotten to know CLIA or rather The Academy quite well since October of last year when YTB launched E-Campus with Dr. Marc Mancini, one of the most respected and admired trainers in the Travel Industry. I’d also like to point out that the minimum booking requirements in California in 2007 worked so well, that YTB Travel Network rolled these same requirements out for the entire company earlier this year.

The emphasis on actually training the RTA field is apparently working, and to see an association such as CLIA roll out a solution like the one yesterday should put an end to this illusion that someone like me or you embarrass and anger those that admittedly earned their rights and privileges in this industry.

These new requirements do raise a couple of rhetorical questions for me however. (Remember, comments here are now cut off to those who couldn’t communicate in a civil and respectable manor concerning their views and opinions.)

What will the few Traditional Travel Agents do when these requirements have been met? They can no longer claim that we are untrained and uneducated. They can no longer claim that we don’t support the industry. With all the time and energy now wasted in posting day after day, to have the major beef pulled right out from under them, what will they do with all the extra time on their hands?

Second, now that there will be whole new crop of trained agents in the field, how will that affect their bottom line? MLM’ers will have the same knowledge and Certifications most of them boast about. There will be far more of these new, hungry, and educated Certified Agents in the field who can now compete at the same level. Will this take away even more market share for them?

Third, how will this be viewed by suppliers? Can you think of any suppliers who are in a bind right now that need some extra revenue coming their way? If just 20% of YTB’s RTA’s go after this Certification requirement it will produce close to $100 Million in revenue and that’s just to qualify for the Certification. What happens when a company the size of YTB is moving that type of revenue to only 21 of the 24 Cruise Line Members?

This is a HUGE step forward in eliminating the illusions and myths out there concerning “Card Mills” and “MLM’s”, and I’m thrilled the CLIA came up with a solution to clean up it’s good name, much like Carnival did. From what I could tell, the Carnival move back in January certainly curbed the accusations against them for supporting a company like YTB.

From what I can read at this early stage, it looks as if the few boisterous Traditionalists who are bitter, angry and shamed right now also think this is a good move. (They are however having a difficult time in expressing their view without belittling those who will be helped most in this move.) It may not keep both sides happy, since one side never appears happy, but it does take away at least one of the excuses they use to attack an industry and people they clearly know nothing about.

I’m quite certain more about these new requirements will be discussed during some of the YTBU courses, (my first course is with Ann Sedgwick first thing next Wednesday morning) and also during Friday and Saturdays National Convention when new features and announcements will be made.

Which reminds me; my second reason for doing “The Dance” yesterday afternoon happened when UPS came to the door with my documents for the National Convention. It’s almost like doing “The Doc Dance” when boarding docs arrive for a cruise!

Care to join me?

PS - If you’d like to keep up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB feel free to sign up for my FREE Newsletter. Just like here, it’s loaded with food, water and sunshine to grow your YTB business.

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812

Learn How To Become A Travel Agent

Book Your Travel & Vacations With

Travel Reservations: 1.800.243.4450
RTA #24635

Labels: Card Mill, Carnival, CLIA, Group Cruise, Royal Caribbean, Travel Agent Issues, Travel Agent Training, Travel MLM

Posted by TravelPro at 6:49 AM | Permalink

Monday, July 28, 2008

Backpedaling….

Last Tuesday I posted about Royal Caribbean’s troubles concerning their second quarter earnings. Some major changes are going on right now down in Miami in attempts to right a sinking ship. Of course we found out that the layoffs have begun, with 400 jobs being eliminated. Something else was posted in Travel Weekly last week, which I had scheduled to post, but due to other events, it’s been bumped and a little more information added for today.

If you recall, Royal Caribbean announced that they will be giving the “Royal Shaft” to some 472 Agencies by upping the commission threshold, in some cases doubling the threshold starting in 2009.

After the result of a 34% decline over 2007 numbers, it appears that Royal Caribbean has either done an about face, or Vicki Freed simply got tired of the cries and whining by those pesky Traditional Travel Agents who do tend to be rather boisterous. (As we’ve come to know all too well.)

I have to hand it to Vicki; she’s ALWAYS handled things very well and is the ultimate professional. I love her quote about this new gray area concerning exceptions and tweaks depending on how loud these agents were.

“All along, when agents were emailing me or calling me after our initial announcement, we were customizing our 2009 commission deals, and sometimes giving agents more time to reach the new levels, to ‘fit’ the circumstances”

To be fair, I’d be upset too if a cruise line increased my threshold some 36% to 76%. Royal Caribbean told these Agencies back in October that they were going to support THEM by terminating the growing competition that keeps getting bigger and bigger no mater what they do to try to curb it’s growth.

So, with Royal Caribbean in dire need of support right now, it’s not surprising that there’s been some “special arrangements” made concerning the commission tiers announced just a few months back.

At this point in time, I could really care less which side you want to pick here. You could side with this notion that Royal Caribbean is backpedaling due to financial reasons, or you could side with how the Agent community loves to cry so loudly that they just gave in. Either choice is fine; because the water just keeps getting churned up the further away we get from last October.

It’s clear that the Suppliers in this industry need help and support, not the bickering and whining that I see all over the internet. A few Agents clearly have way too much time on their hands, and if they don’t buckle down and get to work soon, some suppliers won’t make this crunch they are experiencing right now.

We’ve already seen what it’s done to Royal Caribbean, and news of Dynamic Leisure ceasing operations was also reported in Travel Weekly. While I have not seen anything about this in the trades as of yet, YTB’s very own Travel Compass, (you know the one, it’s that “Travel Newsletter” we get) reported the Rockwell Tours has also decided to close its doors, effective last Friday.

On a side note, and I’m guessing it’s alright to mention this now since Rockwell’s web site is already down and not accepting any further bookings, I noticed while doing my Newsletter this weekend and after attaching a link to the notice sent out from Rockwell something very strange at the bottom of the page.

“All Travel Agency commissions due will be paid by Rockwell Tours as per the normal schedule, that being upon completion of customer travel.”

So while we’ve been told by the Agent Community that YTB is holding our commissions, we find that at least one supplier pays just like YTB says they do, upon completion of the customer travel.

Yep…the truth always has a way of coming to light.

But I digress. Not everyone in the Agent community is obsessed with spinning things, and there ARE organizations who are stepping up to the plate and understand the real issues at hand. ARTA has decided to postpone its launch of their special ID cards in an effort to actually help suppliers in this crunch. It’s been reported that TRIP has advised its key marketing and sales personnel to focus on sales.

“The industry has been clear that a new identification program is sorely needed, but with the current oil crisis, its direct impact on routes and lift changes to destinations, and a significant downturn in business travel, suppliers from all sectors of the industry have indicated that they must let there issues overshadow others at this time.”

Good for them. I just wish everyone would focus on the task at hand.

After all, we ARE Professionals, and can sell this product better than anyone else. (Right?)

Book Your Travel & Vacations With

Travel Reservations: 1.800.243.4450
RTA #24635

Labels: ARTA, Royal Caribbean, Travel Agent Commission, Travel Agent Issues, Travel MLM, Vicki Freed

Posted by TravelPro at 5:41 AM | Permalink

Friday, July 25, 2008

…And The Nominees Are

Every once in a while I see something that surprises even me. I was just sent an e-mail from someone who told me to take a look at what he had found.

Much to my delight, I’ve been nominated for a Blogger Choice Award as the Best Travel Blog. I have no idea when it happened, who nominated me, or just why I was nominated. Frankly, I don’t care and have to admit, it’s pretty cool!

I’ve always enjoyed writing and this blog has been a real joy to write, especially since YTB took center stage last October. To be honest, I didn’t want to write about what was going on back then. I really struggled with it. But I also knew that what was going on at the time had another side to it and knowing YTB, it’s Founders, and it’s people the way I do, it was more important to document and link to the facts. Being able to keep the facts separate from fiction has always been important to me and to get the e-mails and phone calls I have about how much people enjoy and appreciate what I do is extremely rewarding.

I constantly tease about something I call R&D, which stands for “Rip-Off and Duplicate”. I’ve used this term for years, and while it’s a twist or play on words in what’s actually known by those who teach success principles as “modeling”, to see all the people who duplicate what I write on their own blogs and to see people talking about me in message boards and forums is really something.

Many people use paid advertising, others use links in signatures. Others just blatantly promote their blog everywhere they post to try to drive traffic to their sites or blogs, in an attempt to recruit people, even when it’s against the policies of such forums.

I on the other hand, like the “organic” type of links. Organic links are produced naturally from others who happen to like (or dislike) what you’ve written. It’s unsolicited, and obviously has some relevance to those who link to you. I can’t list all the top links that point here, but all kinds of people link here for content and updates. I’ve been amazed when I look at some of the referrals and links from other Network Marketers, other members of YTB, and even from another unrelated web site. (Barry Manilow?!) Of course, I also get a ton of links from those that claim I don’t matter, but they still keep commenting and reading based on time per hit. (Nice to know I take up so much of their time and energy.)

By writing about relevant and interesting topics, these organic links can be very beneficial and provide very high rankings within minutes. When WGN aired the Lady Liberty story, I found myself at the top of the search rankings within minutes of posting. The Travel Weekly Power List also produced a ton of traffic here.

I think my first post on this blog was very apropos given how far reaching and relevant this blog has become. It all started with a dream that I simply took action on. Now almost three years later, to see how far it’s come and what it’s evolved into is humbling and amazing.

I don’t know at this point if who sent the e-mail, nominated me, but who ever nominated me, I wanted to extend my sincere thanks and gratitude for the honor.

Thanks to all who have sent e-mails, called me, and offered personal expressions of how much they appreciate what I do.

The pleasure is all mine!

Now damit…go VOTE FOR ME! ;-P

PS - If you’d like to keep up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB feel free to sign up for my FREE Newsletter. Just like here, it’s loaded with food, water and sunshine to grow your YTB business.

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812

Learn How To Become A Travel Agent

Book Your Travel & Vacations With

Travel Reservations: 1.800.243.4450
RTA #24635

Labels: Best Travel Blog, Blogger Choice Awards, Organic Links, Referral Marketing, Travel MLM, YTB International

Posted by TravelPro at 8:30 AM | Permalink

Thursday, July 24, 2008

All The Rage....

I don’t know how many of you were at last years National Convention. I was, and I absolutely loved it! I’ve really been looking forward to all the announcements which in years past have nothing short of blockbuster. The Success from Home Magazine two years ago with the guaranteed income was such a big help for many who wanted to learn what it takes to be successful. (Working your business each and every day.)

Last years National Convention brought us the new booking engine and marketing site designs were nothing short of incredible. (Both of which have been improved even more.) We had also posted our first Quarterly profit just before the National Convention, (HINT) and with our first listing in Travel Weekly at #35 made YTB stand strong and proud as we should.

Going into this years Convention, I’ve never seen so much media and trade publicity concerning our company. I mentioned on Tuesday that our “consideration” of moving from a Referring Travel Agent model to a Franchise model was the most viewed news story in Travel Weekly. (It’s also the most e-mailed article on the Travel Weekly servers.)

It’s really very impressive if you think about it. The focus and attention on YTB right now is at a frenzy and our biggest event of the year is still two weeks away with even more good news for all those who can’t get enough concerning YTB. We’ve clearly moved beyond these silly blogs, message boards, and YouTube videos that are plastered all over the Internet attempting to spin and create their own stories about what they want to project with pointless opinions and spin.

I mentioned here many times that the truth always has a way of coming to light. The truth started to surface back in April when our Annual Report provided YTB its first yearly profit in just 6 short years. This gave way to investors who actually know something about company growth and success to speculate that YTB could be the next Travel Darling in the Travel Industry. Financial analysts such as Benchmark Journal and Bellwether Report also jumped on board offering their take on this growing company.

I was also extremely proud of Travel Weekly this year, which singled out YTB in their Power List publication of the Top 50 Agencies when they quoted:

“YTB has to be singled out because it faced another year of controversy because of the structure of its business – losing IATA and Royal Caribbean accreditation. Editors checked with the company multiple times to ensure that its reported total represented only direct travel sales, not referrals or any other nonqualified revenues.”

To have the Travel Weekly editors inform everyone that the $414.5 Million in travel sold is in fact travel, should certainly draw a distinct line between those who can read and comprehend and those who simply want to spin in their continued downward spiral. To have YTB singled out and answers concerning all the meaningless questions thrown out since last years publication were certainly put to rest. (Though a few critics persists with even more questions in hopes that someone other than YTB or Travel Weekly will answer.)

ABC News picked up an affiliate story a few months back and aired it on Good Morning America and now has our Lady Liberty on their servers. WGN also aired a similar story a few weeks back as their Cover Story. The thought of having our Lady Liberty dedicated to fallen Police, Firefighter and Servicemen for my children’s children children to visit and look at for hundreds of years really says a lot about a company who appreciates and acknowledges the sacrifice these brave men and woman paid for the safety, freedom and liberties we enjoy today.

It’s not the first time YTB, Beryl Martin, and UPS have teamed up for the local community, but it looks like this time it may be viewed on a national stage when they start to transport Lady Liberty which is only a week and a half away.

The hot topic right now IS YTB and we are still two weeks away from the opening of its National Convention in St. Louis. I personally can’t wait to see the after effects of what will be announced when we actually get there.

If you think YTB is HOT now, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.

PS - If you’d like to keep up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB feel free to sign up for my FREE Newsletter. Just like here, it’s loaded with food, water and sunshine to grow your YTB business.

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812

Learn How To Become A Travel Agent

Book Your Travel & Vacations With

Travel Reservations: 1.800.243.4450
RTA #24635

Labels: ABC News, Home Based Travel Agent, Travel Agent Issues, Travel Weekly, WGN, YourTravelBiz.com, YTB National Convention

Posted by TravelPro at 10:36 AM | Permalink

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

A Royal Proclamation...In PINK!

Would it surprise you that the most viewed news article last week in Travel Weekly was YTB’s new franchise model? (As well as the most e-mailed story of the week.) What seemed to be flying under the radar last week due to all the YTB news was the second most viewed story of the week concerning Royal Caribbean budget cuts.

According to sources mentioned in Travel Weekly, RCCL was looking to cut payroll by 10% and asking staff to reduce expenses. A Credit Suisse Bank analyst confirmed that Royal Caribbean would also implement “broad based, shore side expense reductions of up to 25%”. If you’re thinking “layoffs” you’re right on the mark as a Miami News Station made the “Royal Proclamation” late last night that the Miami based company handed out some 300 Royal Letters in pink Monday afternoon with 100 positions already vacant totaling 400 job cuts.

Not surprising since after yesterday’s closing bell, Royal Caribbean released numbers showing a 34% decline over 2007 second quarter numbers and more information on its cost savings measures. Seems investors have seen this coming for some time as RCL stock has plummeted from $43 per share to a 5 year low of $19.16 per share just last week.

The company announced a significant cost savings initiative that is expected to reduce spending by approximately $125 million annually.

"Too much of our profitability is being eroded by the increase in fuel prices. This is unacceptable and we are evaluating everything we do to find ways to do it more efficiently and effectively," said Richard D. Fain, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "While our brands continue to attract premium prices even in this difficult environment, it is imperative that we find ways to reduce our costs."

Hey! Here’s a novel idea you’re more than welcome to steal from the current #1 Cruise Line in the World! Looks like Royal Caribbean is in need of even MORE Travel Agent Support to offset these Royal Pink Slips.

But I regress. Instead they are spending Lord knows how much on more Direct Response TV ads “Starring You”!

Unfortunately, Agent support may not be so easy since it was also reported here that Royal Caribbean gave their existing Travel Agent base the Royal Shaft back at the beginning of June by increasing commission thresholds. While I was “told” by the knowledgeable Travel Agent community I’ve come to know and love, that this was no big deal, I found story after story of Agencies feeling truly shafted. Jim Mazza, COO of Oyster Bay, NY-based TRAVELSAVERS urged them to reconsider. He continued to say “we don't feel that it was in the best interests of the travel agent community.” Mazza was also quoted in another Trade Publication “Given the implications of the current economy, isn't this the perfect time for cruise suppliers to strengthen, not diminish, their relationships with travel agents?"

Vacation.com’s Steve Tracas, president and CEO expressed disappointment with Royal Caribbean's move and reaffirmed the value of travel agents to Royal Caribbean and the industry. CEO Tracas also was quoted “This is certainly a conflicting message compared to some of their more recent communications to the agency community."

One agent, who asked for anonymity, told Travel Trade, "This change is especially punitive to smaller agencies that will be hurt the most. Large producers don't care about a $1.5 or even a $3 million threshold because they are above that anyway. Many of the literally thousands of agencies that barely make 11% now are dropping to 10% and, no, a few hundred dollars doesn't seem like much but the psychological size of the cut is huge."

"The bitterness goes very deep and several producers in the $1 million range that will be affected are already moving share to Princess," according to this agent.

What ever happened to that promise back in October when Royal Caribbean said they were done with Travel MLM’s and only going to kiss and hug REAL Travel Agents? What happened to the standing ovations all over this country from the Travel Agent community who were behind Royal Caribbean 100% and promised they were going to take this industry back?

Now that Royal Caribbean has been out at sea all by itself the last 9 months they’ve sprung a leak and cries of “Man Overboard!” are being heard down in Miami and the Wichita, Kansas call center.

To be fair, fuel costs ARE a big reason for these cuts, but you’ve just GOT to wonder what a company like YTB, who booked some $414.5 Million in travel in 2007 could have done to help save at least some of these jobs. Remember, our suppliers don’t pay a dime to YTB unless YTB produces a sale. There are no marketing expenses; there’s no Co-op Advertising, there’s just more than 100,000 web sites out there that could be pointing friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers to their ships, which quite honestly are very nice.

With a capacity of some 5400 passengers on the new Genesis Class ships being built and on order, maybe bigger at this point isn’t better. Like it or not kids…YTB is the PERFECT model right now to fill up all those new ships they have coming out. You take a look at Carnivals earnings, and now Royal Caribbean’s and despite both having to struggle through the same fuel costs and economic troubles, one has YTB and one doesn’t.

It’s just one of those things that make you go Hmmmmmm.

Royal Caribbean has scheduled a conference call at 10 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time, Tuesday, July 22, to discuss its earnings. This call can be heard, either live or on a delayed basis, on the company's investor relations web site at http://www.rclinvestor.com/.

PS - If you’d like to keep up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB feel free to sign up for my FREE Newsletter. Just like here, it’s loaded with food, water and sunshine to grow your YTB business.

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812

Learn How To Become A Travel Agent

Book Your Travel & Vacations With

Travel Reservations: 1.800.243.4450
RTA #24635

Labels: Card Mill, Layoffs, RCL, Royal Caribbean, Travel Agent Issues, Travel MLM, YTB News, YTB Travel Network

Posted by TravelPro at 5:45 AM | Permalink

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Walk Softly, But Carry a BIG Stick!

It was mentioned on Coach’s Saturday Morning call that this “consideration” of Franchising was meant to be a “Soft Rollout”. However due to all the focus and obsession right now squarely on the company everyone is talking about, there was nothing “soft” about it. When Coach said “soft rollout” I honestly laughed out loud, and I immediately thought about what I learned in school many, MANY years ago when I did a report on Teddy Roosevelt, and remembered the phrase “Walk softly, but carry a big stick”.

With all the attention, talk, and accusations concerning a proposal that hasn’t even been officially released, let alone outlined, manuals produced, training implemented, pricing arranged, and compensation laid out, it makes me wonder what all this fuss is about.

At one exact moment last week, 10:21AM on Tuesday, July 15th, an 8-K Regulation FD Disclosure was filed with the SEC. A Directors call followed with Scott Tomer informing our Directors of this filing, and a Press Release was issued Tuesday afternoon with our "consideration" of franchising.

I feel it's important to updated and inform you about this proposal from the PROPER sources. Scott has agreed to share a Directors Letter in the Biz Report and I want to make sure you have this communication directly from Scott.

Now just why would Scott have to do something like this? Amusingly enough, and Scott addresses this specifically in his communication, about our competitors and skeptics who make inaccurate, deceitful, slanderous and outright fraudulent statements about YTB. This obsession with YTB is so consuming, that by 10:27AM a post was up on a blog stating that YTB has turned its back on RTA's. (Note: only 6 minutes after the SEC filing!) Likewise, as soon as the Press Release was issued it was commented on a financial forum that the stock would crash , and one brilliant critic posted Scott's letter in it's entirety on another Anti-YTB thread incorrectly assuming that this would cast doubt instead of clarifying our direction in becoming a dominant player in the Travel Industry.

This company can’t sneeze without someone painting some negative spin about it.

With the stock price actually rising following both days of outrageous claims and spin, we can't help but laugh at the egg on the face of these obsessed critics who think they have YTB all figured out. Clearly the scare tactics used to distract and worry those of us in YTB didn’t take hold or we just didn't care to listen.

I mentioned some of my reasons why on Friday, but I also like Scotts reasons, and I’d like to document them here as well.

"We became a publicly traded company in 2004 and the skeptics said we would never make it. People said we were crazy to introduce a Reps' "Bill of Rights" at the 2005 "Your Time to Build" national convention. It was unheard of in our industry. No one had ever guaranteed earnings for its Reps prior to the 2006 "Business of Champions" YTB convention, but that didn't stop us from introducing the Success from Home Magazine program with its $6,000 Guarantee. We became members of the Direct Sales Association in 2007 and added the "First Amendment to the Bill of Rights" at the "Cleared for Take Off" National Convention to the dismay of our detractors."

Here is what you need to know about this consideration before the coin has even been tossed to guess heads or tails, and this comes DIRECTLY from Scott Tomer and no one else. I figured here is as good of place as any to get the truth out about what’s in the works, and what we have to look forward to.

"We know how to recruit, build a sales force and sell products and services using the direct sales or network marketing approach. We are convinced this is the best marketing system ever created and we are ABSOLUTELY COMMITTED to continuing the use of this system with YTB. While there will be changes to the process as it relates to the sale of franchises, the downline genealogy and network marketing division will remain intact."

"We believe a franchise model of our existing business will be easier to comprehend and more readily accepted by the general public. Since franchising is recognized as a traditional business model in virtually all developed countries, YTB's timeline for global expansion will be accelerated."

"We anticipate everything that currently exists for RTAs will be in the franchise model and any additional products offered through the franchise will be available to RTAs should they elect to become franchisees."

"If RTAs elect not to become franchisees, they will be able to continue with no change to their status with all income opportunities and privileges they currently enjoy."

You can clearly see that this is not all the doom and gloom that some would like you to believe. While there are questions yet to be answered by many, I’m confident they will be answered in time. If the program even launches, it won’t be until next year, so we have plenty of time to get our ducks in a row, take the proper time, and make an informed, educated business decision. Honestly, I don’t think 6 minutes is ample time to base a decision on much of anything, let alone an opportunity like the one proposed.

Thank you Scott for stepping up and making this available to us to answer the plethora or questions and accusations that are out there on the Internet. Scott Tomer is a clear leader and one of three Founders in our company. It would not surprise me to see as a result of this announcement and the way Scott handled it, to see a report that Scott Tomer is now being nominated for President!

Can you imagine? Scott Tomer, from President of YTB International, to President of the Untied States!

Roosevelt who?

Editors Note to the goofballs who would like to take this idea of Scott being President seriously: Be our guest! We’d LOVE the publicity and also love to show the world just how gullible you critics really are.

PS - If you’d like to keep up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB feel free to sign up for my FREE Newsletter. Just like here, it’s loaded with food, water and sunshine to grow your YTB business.

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812

Learn How To Become A Travel Agent

Book Your Travel & Vacations With

Travel Reservations: 1.800.243.4450
RTA #24635

Labels: Franchising, Network Marketing, Scott Tomer, Travel Agent Issues, YTB International, YTB News

Posted by TravelPro at 6:20 AM | Permalink

Friday, July 18, 2008

Some Light At The End Of This Tunnel...

I spent part of the last couple of nights reading some of the message boards and forums. I believe that reading some of the popular watering holes is a great way to get a pulse on what people are thinking and doing. Obviously the hot topic is this consideration of YTB expanding into franchising and additional markets.

It’s amazing how some of the conversations can be very civil, respectable, and interesting with very valid points on both sides. While other forums and blogs can be nothing more than this notion of doom and gloom with all kinds of questions that nobody can really answer at this point.

One of the things that’s become clear to me after reading comments from some of our RTA’s is how strong our Reps and RTA’s are. How much conviction they have in what we are doing and where YTB is heading. It’s no secret at this point that the slings and arrows that are typically associated with Network Marketing pails in comparison to the mortar fire we in YTB have been facing since last October. Network Marketing has been a very heated topic for years and with YTB’s success in our industry, it’s been escalating to a point that can be very uncomfortable.

If you’re wondering why all the fuss and attention…well, from the very beginning I heard that our management and founders have no experience, that no Travel MLM has ever made it, there’s no product, there’s no money, there’s no future, and our model is flawed…doomed to failure. Travel has to be sold a certain way and to think that YTB could come in and change things is just a pipe dream.

The small group of “critics” that are throwing all this mortar fire right now started to stock up just over a year ago when they got their first glimpse of our success in Travel Weekly’s annual Power List Ranking. The horns sounded, the critics rallied, and the mortars began to be loaded. How dare those little, itty bitty bunch of “recruiters” come in and change the face of an industry they have come to know, love, and respect. Didn’t we know how things are suppose to be? Are we blind, deaf, and dumb to not realize? Were we not listening?

Guess not.

Here we are a year after the first shot heard round the world and YTB just keeps plugging along, doing what we do, and the few that have been shooting at us now see that YTB just jumped from #35 to #26 with an 83% growth in a format and model they just know doesn’t work.

I mentioned at the beginning how much of the conversation I’ve seen has been very civil concerning YTB’s forthcoming proposal. I’ve actually enjoyed some of the dialog and it’s been refreshing to discuss this issue without the name calling and childish behavior I see in other places. I’ve been a member of some of these forums and boards for years. Part of this intelligent dialog is that other members actually know what MLM really is. They’ve heard all the myths and rumors from actually being in the industry themselves. One member, whom I believe to be very sincere, offered his “condolences” concerning this proposal of our new format. That got me thinking about how many times YTB has been offered condolences in my years of participation on these forums.

A list went rushing through my head of my last three years in YTB.

I’ve seen condolences when Coach was sued and there was fear the company would be shut down and Coach was heading to jail.

Outcome: Case Dismissed

I’ve seen condolences every time the FTC was going to shut us down.

Outcome: Actually, for as many times I’ve seen this mentioned on the internet, I’m SHOCKED this has never happened and not one suit or case has ever been filed.

I’ve seen condolences when Rick Ricketts was “under investigation” in Florida.

Outcome: Florida State Senator Burt L. Saunders now on our Board of Directors

I’ve seen condolences 9 straight quarters of losses from 2005 through Q1 2007.

Outcome: $3.2 Mil Profit for 2007 and YTB is now a “Travel Darling”.

I’ve seen condolences when YTB was delisted to the Pink Sheets.

Outcome: Back on the OTC, and stock did a 1:3 split late June 2007.

I’ve seen condolences when all the suppliers were going to follow Royal Caribbean’s lead and terminate their relationship with us.

Outcome: The VP of this decision is now the VP of making sure toilet paper is stocked and mints are on pillows. Meanwhile, Carnival Corporation obviously makes the right choice by implementing a very simple booking requirements policy. Trainings with other vendor and suppliers increased dramatically to capture the market share Royal Caribbean tossed overboard.

I’ve seen condolences when IATA sealed our fate and we couldn’t book any more travel.

Outcome: YTB jumps 9 spots in Travel Weekly’s Power List from #35 to #26 with 83% growth and $414.5 Million in Travel Sales.

To see condolences from anyone these days just seems a bit melodramatic to me. I can appreciate what the unknown can create in the minds of others. Experience however, can change one’s perspective when you’ve seen what this company has endured and overcome.

With every adversity and all the doom and gloom that I’ve seen projected from both good natured and the cold hearted concerning our Founders, our Company, our model, and our people; to have YTB still standing strong and proud is so incredibly refreshing and powerful.

You know what I see? I see character. I see conviction. I see trust. I see belief. I see a change of people being a part of YTB, to YTB being a part of the people.

I get e-mails, phone calls and have been involved in many personal conversations from fellow Team Members in YTB. People constantly thank me for the work I do on this blog, and our Weekly Newsletters I’ve shared with the entire company. I’ve heard many times how grateful people are for sharing my experience and what I know.

What goes around comes around, and it’s my turn to thank all of you for standing strong in your convictions, and being such a valuable part of this great company we know as YTB. I can’t tell you how proud I am to see what I see out there in these forums and boards right now. How solid and true you are.

One of the best comments was a post created by a woman I don’t even know, but I think it speaks volumes when it comes to what we have to look forward to. While I don’t have her permission to copy and paste this, I’m quite confident she won’t mind.

“YTB, a leader in the travel industry, is going down!!!

YTB has gone through so many storms just within the past year. Unfortunately, whenever a company continually goes through problems, issues, storms, loses customers (REPs/RTAs), bad press, losing memberships, being ousted from suppliers' support, being taken to court, staff issues, etc etc etc. it weakens the base and foundation of the company. That's so sad!! And what about the poor RTAs who paid $500 just to chase a dream!!RTAs should have listened to the many heeds to get out, stay away, find something else and get on with life. They really should have.Well, what's next for us?? Well - ALL IS NOT LOST! Here's the good news:

YTB IS GOING DOWN!

They are going down in history as trailblazers in the travel industry!!!”

LOL! I couldn’t agree more Denyse!

You go Girl!

PS – If you’d like to read her entire post, you are free to visit it here.

PPS - If you’d like to keep up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB feel free to sign up for my FREE Newsletter. Just like here, it’s loaded with food, water and sunshine to grow your YTB business.

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812

Learn How To Become A Travel Agent

Book Your Travel & Vacations With

Travel Reservations: 1.800.243.4450
RTA #24635

Labels: MLM Myths, Travel Agent Issues, Travel MLM, YTB International

Posted by TravelPro at 7:54 AM | Permalink

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Forthcoming Proposal

I was telling someone a few weeks ago that things were going to be very slow news wise up until the National Convention in a few weeks. I have to apologize to that person…Boy did I get that one wrong! It made perfect sense when I said it…why would the company release any new features, announcements, upgrades before the biggest meeting of the year?

Of course it’s not all YTB’s fault. We certainly can’t help that the news media took a keen interest in our Lady Liberty that’s now complete and ready to ship to the convention.

The last few days YTB has come to the forefront once again and the speculation is flying all over the place. I would have thought both events would have been worthy enough to save for the Convention. We can all figure out just why we took the Booking Engine and Steals and Deals links off the Marketing sites. It has been mentioned that this was long overdue and really should have been done at the same time the Rep Links were taken off the Booking Engines years ago. It’s my believe that this separation between the Marketing Site and our Booking Engine is going to prove to be an important element, but for different reasons.

The news yesterday, I suspect was offered up in response to some rumors that I’ve heard about running around the Network Marketing circles which surfaced a few weeks ago. Rumor has it that YTB is getting out of the MLM business.

I’m really not at Liberty (pun intended) right now to write about what all this means. (Other than I REALLY like the idea of being a Franchise Owner.) I do want to point out that the company is only “contemplating” at this time. I’m amazed and dazzled however at how some of our critics who are so well versed as “MLM Experts” were able to switch hats at a moments notice and suddenly become “Franchise Experts”. How they know so much about everything astounds even me.

Here is what I will do. I will post the Press Release here in its entirety and the emphasis will be mine as you read the company statement. For those of us in YTB who truly understand our model, please read carefully and it’s my hope that with my emphasis, you will get a more accurate interpretation of what is being conveyed in this release.

We can let the “experts” speculate on their own. Frankly at this point, I’m actually very amused over some of the interpretations and concerns over this. Reading comprehension and full understanding of YTB’s two separate and unique business models are at a premium. Lack of fully understanding our current business model can be oh so dangerous.

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.

Book Your Travel & Vacations With

Travel Reservations: 1.800.243.4450
RTA #24635

Labels: Scott Tomer, Travel Agent Issues, Travel MLM, YTB International, YTB National Convention, YTB Travel Network

Posted by TravelPro at 5:00 AM | Permalink

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Don't Like Change? Leave It Here!

Did you notice a change to our YTB Marketing Sites yesterday? It’s actually pretty small, but I think it will prove to be a very important development in the months and years to come. If you subscribe to my Free Newsletter you already knew about this change, but I wanted to let others who may not be aware know not only what has just transpired, but why.

"As YourTravelBiz.com and YTB Travel Network continue to grow we are working diligently to define the differences between the travel and marketing businesses. Beginning Monday, July 14, 2008, the "Book Travel" link and the "Deals and Steals" link will be removed from the marketing website. You will no longer be able to access the travel website from the Marketing home page. In order to access your YTB Travel Network booking engine, you must go directly to www.ytbtravel.com/userID."

It is important to understand that we must differentiate between the marketing and travel businesses.YTB Travel Network ranked 26th in the nation by Travel Weekly with over $414 million in travel sales in 2007. (That’s an 83% growth in TRAVEL SALES over last year by the way and a 9 spot jump from #35 in last year’s list.) As our travel sales continue to increase, our vendors and our critics need to see a clear separation between the travel business and marketing business. Having the "Book Travel" link and the "Deals and Steals" link on the marketing site fuels their confusion. Not our fault, but the critics especially are just a little slower than others and it is our hope that this step will help our critics see this separation on our Marketing Sites and curb some of the criticism and outlandish claims about a business model they are having so much trouble grasping and understanding.

You may not know this, but some time ago we removed the marketing link from the travel site for the same reason. It’s been about 2 or 2 ½ years now; and honestly, it’s been so long ago, I don’t remember an exact point in time. I’ve also read that some of our critics have signed up for our “Steals and Deals” in hopes that they would find some sort of solicitation from the Home Office about joining our Company for all these “Perks and Credentials” we hear so much about and to come join YTB. Since I’ve not heard word one about any such mailing in all the time I’ve been with YTB, no such solicitation has ever sent.

YTB also clearly states on all our company approved Marketing Materials the following statement:

"The YTB companies offer two unique and powerful opportunities, that of referring travel agent or "RTA" and that of independent marketing representative or "REP". The travel agent opportunity has an initial fee under $500 and a monthly license fee of $49.95. There is no fee or travel agency purchase required to be a REP. You may choose to participate in one or both opportunities."

This statement is read at every Company Presentation and is found on all Company Marketing Materials in the Countries we operate. (United States, Puerto Rico, Bermuda, the Bahamas, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Canada.) We also operate through three subsidiaries: YourTravelBiz.com, Inc., YTB Travel Network, Inc., and REZconnect Technologies, Inc. and we are publicly traded on the OTC under the symbol YTBLA.OB.

It’s no secret that there is a tremendous amount of focus on our company at this time, and we need to be very cautious how we as a company operate in both a corporate entity and as Independent Representatives. (This means YOU!)

We have known Coach, Scott, and Kim for many years and every decision they make is with a "Reps Heart" and we need to trust that these decisions are made in our best interest. We trust and believe that removing the "Book Travel" link and the "Deals and Steals" link will help separate our two unique and powerful opportunities.

Based on what I’ve seen from those who have already subscribed to our Free Newsletter, most of you with our company already have a registered domain for your booking engine as our booking engines for most are the primary focus of our business. (Contrary to what you may have heard by others.)

If you’re like me you use another domain extension (.info - .net - .biz) and purchase either clear or white "Return Address" labels (or purchase a stamp) to affix your "other site" to the back of the business card.

When marketing your Travel Business under http://www.ytbtravel.com/justpictureitnow and you come in contact with a very sharp individual. Simply turn the card over when handing them the business card and tell them to take a look at this site, http://www.ytb.com/justpictureitnow. If it looks interesting to your prospect, your contact information can be found either on the front of the business card or on the web site and all you have to do is answer a few simple questions.

We’ve been conducting our business this way for years and it works!

Paradise Network is also an incredible Marketing Site that not only has links to your YTB Marketing Site, but your Booking Engine, Live Webcasts, Contact Manager, Event Calendar, and Auto Responder system for follow up for anyone you have spoken with and has requested more information. Forwarding your domains to Paradise Network has also proven to be an effective Marketing Tool and it’s also approved by YTB.

Same business cards, same registered domains, just a slight shift in how you market two unique and powerful business opportunities.

We once heard that an Entrepreneur is nothing more than a problem solver. Sometimes we need to think outside the box from our usual way of thinking.

We also saw a tip jar not too long ago that said, "Don't like change? Leave it here!" In business, change is inevitable, and as a company we are capitalizing on the change the Travel Industry is undergoing in its change from "Brick and Mortar" to "Click and Order". We need to be able to adapt to situations easily and readily and sometimes that's hard to do with a company the size of YTB.

The National Convention is just 19 days away. Could this move before the National Convention be for a specific reason? We don't quite know just yet, but we believe there are very good and legitimate reasons in making this move at this time and we know that Coach, Scott, and Kim are ALWAYS thinking of us first when it comes to YOUR BUSINESS.

PS - If you’d like to keep up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB feel free to sign up for my FREE Newsletter. Just like here, it’s loaded with food, water and sunshine to grow your YTB business.

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812

Learn How To Become A Travel Agent