Well, I’ve finally pulled it off. I’ve just written and released my first book entitled “What the Critics Know about YTB“. This is a “tell all” book on how to handle the Critics, Skeptics, Cynics, and Naysayers out there who have nothing better to do with their time than throw a bunch of mud up on the wall to see what sticks.

I came up with the concept and “how to guide” very early on Sunday morning while reading, and when the inspiration struck, I knew I had to share this with everyone I could in YTB. You’ll find it in today’s monthly newsletter, along with some other news from the last month, travel training information, and other key events coming up. If you’re in YTB, and want to be kept up to date, please feel free to subscribe, I’d love to have you on the list.

I asked Tim & Georgia Dominey, two close friends and mentors who also happen to be Level 2 Directors with the company to write the “Foreword” for my new book and I’m making a copy available to you for today for FREE! I encourage you to take the time to read this book concerning what to do and what to say to those who are slinging mud. Many have found my message direct, to the point, and dead on concerning many of the issues and negativity being thrown YTB’s way with this step by step guide on how to handle the critics.

The timing couldn’t be more perfect today, as YTB filed its 2007 Annual Report with the SEC yesterday with a hefty $3.2 Million PROFIT for the year. Revenues increased a total of 177% over 2006 numbers. Other notable increases were Marketing Commission of $80.5 Million up 169% and Travel Commission paid to our RTA’s reached $13.4 Million, an increase of 174%.

It should be noted that while only commissions are paid to our RTAs’ booking of travel services are reflected as a component of our revenues in our financial statements, YTB also keep track of the aggregate “retail value of all travel services” that are booked by our RTAs (which directly impacts our commission revenues). The value of such travel services increased 83.7% in 2007 to over $414,000,000, from approximately $225,000,000 in 2006. (Placing bets currently on how long this $414 Million will be spun into “fees”. Hummmmmmm)

This also marks three straight profitable quarterly reports and 2007 marks the first full year of profitability! Whoo Hooo!

In anticipation of our positive Annual Report our stock is also up considerably yesterday afternoon with 1.19 Million shares being traded after critics, cynics and naysayers had left us for dead.

I put this quote just below my dedication in my new book which I just love.

“Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated”
~ Samuel Langhorn Clemens, a.k.a. Mark Twain, May, 1897 in a note to the New York Journal.

Speaking of the stock we are now current with our periodic reports under the Exchange Act; so we intend to have our common stock quoted on the OTC-BB once again and to thereafter apply for listing on a national securities exchange. AMEX would require a price of no less than $5 per share from my understanding.

And if all this STILL wasn’t enough for ya’ll, it appears that Mr. Kim Sorenson is firing back a couple shots at IATA through YTB’s legal department.

In a Travel Weekly report YTB has asked the commissioner for the U.S., James Johnstone, for clear permission to continue using its numeric code number, which was assigned by ARC, with the understanding that YTB agrees not to represent itself as an IATA agency. Kim Sorensen was also quoted that making the code available to contractors was “the same as what any host agency has done.” By implication, he raised the question: Why was YTB terminated when others were not?

In documents filed with the commissioner, YTB offered its answer. It accused IATA of enforcing its standards belatedly “as a pretense to quash competitive activity.” Please note the article next to YTB fight against IATA as the travel agency commissioner in Canada declined to uphold BNW’s termination there, while IATA said it “respectfully disagrees” with parts of the commissioner’s decision. However, IATA said the decision “makes crystal-clear that no person or entity has the right to display the IATA numeric code or IATA’s trademarks and service marks on in-house ID-cards or other credentials.”

Sound familiar?

You Bet!

Do you think you might be able to either sell some Travel or maybe put someone in the business based on all this good news?

Me too! Let’s “Get ‘er done!”

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I’ve been reviewing and reading some over the weekend on the internet about what’s happened concerning our company stock, YTBLA. If you didn’t know, the stock has made a significant rebound this past week, while at the same time YTB’s Annual Report is due to be out this coming week. (Monday, from what I understand.)

Over the last month or so, I’ve been just laughing at how so many people know so much about stock, especially YTB stock. Apparently, we were left for dead and the shares I own should have been cashed in to salvage what little was left about two weeks ago. The sudden drop and rise has something to do with the purchase of a Lear Jet and it’s not out of the question now that Coach, Scott and Kim have access to a private plane, they just may be ready to make a run for it.

Where DO they come up with this stuff?

Now that the stock has rebounded, simply because many took advantage of the sale price, there is nary a peep from those who have been so extremely vocal for the last month. I don’t know how you could do this on the internet, but if you could, you can hear a pin drop in most of the message boards right now that were so extremely active with doom, gloom and gloating.

Besides a claim from one of the finest “brainiacs” I’m enjoying right now claiming something about insider trading for a pump and dump the rest of the group has been busy scratching their heads this weekend.

How could this possibly happen?

What went wrong?

YTB was supposed to tank?

What’s it going to take to rid this industry of the evil YTB?

The hopes that suppliers would follow Royal Caribbean’s lead ended with a melodramatic thud. IATA didn’t even make YTB skip a beat as we’re still booking travel and getting paid on that travel, even expanded into Bermuda, Bahamas, and Canada. (Bought an Agency there too.) Now the company stock is looking to make a significant rebound with an Annual Report that could produce the third straight quarter for profits and growth. All it needs to reach is $3.33 to match the company high of last year before the 1:3 split.

So what is it that these critics, cynics, skeptics, and naysayers know that none of us in YTB seem to know?

Well, in nothing short of an epiphany I firmly believe I figured it out. More importantly, I figured out how to handle all the mud and negativity being thrown around concerning our fine company. It came to me while reading a new book, which I’ll tell you about later.

It’s chilling what’s happening now that I’ve been able to get clear.

The important thing right now is this. I’m expanding my horizons folks, I’m currently writing my first book on this very subject. What I’ve learned and how YOU can learn from my mistakes and insight. It’s witty, it’s thought provoking, and it hits the nail right on the head concerning what’s REALLY going on right now.

I’ve been working most of the morning on this, (the wee hours of the morning) and have just sent it off to a couple of team members who I’ve asked to write the forward for me. It just flowed right out of me. Pure inspiration!

My first book! How cool is that?!

Here’s the best part…It’s going to be my gift to you. I aint gonna charge a dime for it. One because I feel it’s an important issue, and two because I simply want to get your opinion if I should continue writing more books about my unique insight.

Stay tuned and be on the lookout either early am or after 5:00 Monday for the 2007 YTB Annual Report.

(Okay, you can be on the lookout for my new book too, but you’ll only find that HERE!)

If you have enjoyed this blog and are a member of YTB, please feel free to subscribe to our weekly Newsletter!

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

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