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MEDIA & ANNOUNCEMENT
All YTB press releases can be found here: http://www.ytbi.com/investor/pressreleases.asp
July 16, 2008
YTB International Contemplates Implementation
Of Franchises
Company considers adopting franchise operating
system in 2009
WOOD RIVER, Ill., July 15, 2008 - YTB International, Inc. (OTC BB: 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.
April 1, 2008
YTB International Reports Total Revenue of $141 Million and $3.2 Million Net Income for 2007
Value of travel services booked on YTB's RTAs websites increased 84% in 2007 to $414.5 million
WOOD RIVER, Ill., April 1, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/- YTB International, Inc. (OTC Pink Sheets: 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 its financial results for the twelve-month period ending December 31, 2007.
Total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2007 increased 177% to $141.3 million, compared to $50.9 million for the previous year. While only the commissions arising from RTAs' booking of travel services booked on the RTAs' websites are reflected as a component of the Company's revenues, YTB also keeps track of the aggregate retail value of all travel services that are sold by its RTAs' websites (which directly impacts commission revenues). The value of such travel services increased 84% in 2007 to $414.5 million, from $225.7 million in 2006.
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2007 was $3.2 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of ($6.0) million, or ($0.07) per diluted share, for the 2006 fiscal year.
Stockholders' equity as of the 2007 year end increased by $19.3 million or 958%, to $17.3 million from a ($2.0) deficit as of the end of fiscal 2006.
'2007 was a banner year for YTB. During the year we more than doubled the size of our network of RTAs to approximately 131,000 strong in addition to reporting three consecutive profitable quarters,' stated Scott Tomer, Chief Executive Officer of YTB. 'As our company grows, so does the attention we have gained within the travel industry. Over the past year we have received praise for our energy and industry-changing business strategy from leading travel companies and organizations. However, not surprisingly, we have also attracted criticism from those companies with whom we indirectly and directly compete. We challenged these critics by concentrating on our business and making YTB one of the most successful travel service companies around. Moving into 2008, we see no signs of slowing down, as we expanded our services into Canada.'
'We have established a strong network of contacts within the travel world, which have led to significant agreements that have expanded the scope of our travel business. Most recently, we announced an exclusive partnership with Shanghai Spring International Travel Service and Mandarin Voyages to market and sell European tour packages, including trips to France, Germany, Belgium and Holland. These agreements expand our RTAs' ability to offer fun, unique travel options,' stated, J. Kim Sorensen, CEO of YTB Travel Network, a wholly- owned YTB subsidiary. 'We are very proud of these efforts and look forward to helping more RTAs find success through selling travel.
Source:
http://www.ytbi.com/investor/pressreleases.asp
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