Archive for the ‘Travel Trade’ Category

MythBusters To The Rescue!

Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008
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Have you ever seen or heard something and went…”Shut – UP“!? I don’t mean shut up like close your mouth shut up; although what PhoCusWright has now clarified for us will do that as well. No, I’m talking about “Shut – Up” meaning, “No Way!” or “I don’t believe it!”

You know… Shuttt – Uup!”

I’d like to introduce to you our MythBusters…AKA: PhoCusWright.

It appears that PhoCusWright has dispelled their misinformation-and debunked the online travel myths we see all too often from our Traditionalists during the first-ever Analyst Forum, held September 10 in New York City.

Oh how our Traditionalists have been reaching for something…anything…that would substantiate their claim that market share is moving back to them. Well, sorry folks…just not happening and the jig is up.

Enjoy, and see if you don’t say the same thing. ;-P

6 Online Travel Myths Unmasked at PhoCusWright Analyst Forum

Myth #1: The number of online travel buyers in the U.S. is declining. In fact, that number is on the rise, as documented in The Consumer Travel Trends Tenth Edition recently published by PhoCusWright Inc. In 2007, approximately 70% of online travelers (that is, adults who have taken a commercial air trip and stayed at a hotel for leisure in the past year, and used the Internet in the past 30 days) bought travel online, compared to 63% in 2006.

PhoCusWright dispelled this piece of misinformation-and debunked five additional online travel myths-at it’s first-ever Analyst Forum, held September 10 in New York City.

In addition to the misconception that online travel buyers are declining, The PhoCusWright Analyst Forum corrected these five other online travel myths:

Myth 1. The number of online travel buyers in the U.S. is declining. In fact, that number is on the rise, as documented in The Consumer Travel Trends Tenth Edition recently published by PhoCusWright Inc. In 2007, approximately 70% of online travelers (that is, adults who have taken a commercial air trip and stayed at a hotel for leisure in the past year, and used the Internet in the past 30 days) bought travel online, compared to 63% in 2006.

Myth 2. More and more online travel shoppers use supplier sites than online travel agencies. While this belief is widespread in the travel industry, it is simply untrue, according to PhoCusWright, the travel industry research firm. In terms of popularity, online travel agencies are making a comeback (source: The PhoCusWright Consumer Travel Trends Survey Tenth Edition or “CTTS10″).

Myth 3. Travel agencies are experiencing a resurgence as travelers return to traditional purchasing channels. Not so. In reality, even many formerly exclusive offline buyers are migrating online for travel shopping and buying, according to CTTS10.

Myth 4. The next generation of travelers prefers to do everything online. The truth is, less than half of what 18-28 year olds spend on travel is spent online, according to The NEXTgen Traveler(TM) report, jointly published by PhoCusWright and Ypartnership.

Myth 5. Social networks and travel reviews have the greatest influence on travel decision-making. The NEXTgen Traveler(TM) report reveals that while social media is widespread, destination Web sites and online travel agencies are favored by nearly half of next generation travelers during the travel shopping process.

Myth 6. Online travel markets need high credit card and Internet penetration to succeed. The structure and ambitions of the travel marketplace are even more important drivers than infrastructure. Case in point is India, one of the most dynamic online travel marketplaces today, where roughly 98% of the population does not use credit cards or have access to the Internet.

The sold-out Analyst Forum provided attendees with a clearer understanding of the realities of the online travel marketplace, offering facts, figures and insights for strategic planning and decision-making, especially as attendees find themselves engaged in 2009 budget planning.

“Nobody wants to make strategic errors based on bad information,” said Lorraine Sileo, vice president, research for PhoCusWright. “Through this Analyst Forum, we were able to educate attendees about online travel myths and the realities in consumer behavior and to paint a picture of the new distribution landscape so that they can better assess their channel partners, such as travel agencies.

“PhoCusWright’s Analyst Forum will continue to take place on a quarterly basis in New York City featuring research and analysis on a variety of travel, tourism and hospitality topics.

Aint that somthin’?

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

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Doug & Ronda Bauknight
Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812
Book Your Travel & Vacations With


TSO #588629
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Dear John

Sunday, April 27th, 2008
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WARNING: The content, topic and links in this post are not only inappropriate for children, but may also be extremely offensive to women. (And males with even an ounce of integrity or ethics.)

I’ve personally been called a lot of things in my life. I have also been ridiculed and scorned buy a group of individuals who are obviously upset I am involved with a company who is changing their industry without their permission. I don’t particularly mind the attention or ridicule; I’m a big boy and can handle anything that comes my way. If I didn’t like the heat, I should stay out of the kitchen.

Picking on me is one thing, but picking on an innocent, respectable, nurturing, woman, Mother, and Minister is another. With Mothers Day coming just around the corner, I’d like you to think of your own Mother for a moment. More than likely, if I or anyone else ever met your Mom, she would be much like the Mother I was introduced too some time ago. You can read about this Mother and Minister from her bio, and you like me, you would think that she is quite remarkable. As a Minister, you would believe that she is an honest, responsible individual with not only an understanding of the word integrity, but someone who lives with integrity and truth on a daily basis and certainly knows right from wrong.

However, she has one fatal, glaring blemish on her bio; that of being associated like me as a YTB RTA. That blemish makes her fair game to not only be called out, but publically scorned, ridiculed and dragged through the mud on a blog and forum by a bunch Thugs.

On Friday, April 25th, once former “friend” and “colleague” in the Travel Industry, John Frenaye posted an absolutely horrid article that called out this woman and accused her of being a liar. The post went on along with some 69 comments on Friday and Saturday until the comments got so out of line, even he closed them. Accusations ran ramped the entire day, as it so often does on the cesspool of bandwidth, that this Mother and Minister is someone without morals, ethics, or a shred of credibility simply because, like me, she’s proud of what our company has been doing in our industry. John and his band of Thugs used not only very belittling and demeaning language, but John himself used a very graphic picture of a child extruding his middle finger, giving this woman, Mother, and Minister “the bird”. Would you show your own mother the bird? We at one time assumed that John wouldn’t, but that idea or belief has now been proven wrong.

How anyone could get so emotionally charged concerning such an apparently innocent and non threatening woman may be in question right now, but evidently, John being the crazed, obsessed, and paranoid individual he is took exception of a post this woman made concerning YTB merging with a 27 year old company based outside of Clarksburg, West Virginia, American Destinations. Since this crackerjack Journalist couldn’t find a verifiable source to substantiate the post; that in his mind was justification to use a foul and offensive picture and words to match to drag this Mother through the mud.

If you’ve never had the pleasure of being introduced to John Frenaye, be truly thankful. He claims to be some sort of “New Breed” of Travel Agent and Journalist, and has been published over the years, and thus has gained the respect of a few followers and co-workers in the industry. As of late, John has lowered his Journalistic efforts and has spent an increasing amount of time researching (cough) and posting daily on his hideous blog of what he has found digging up what he considers “dirt” on our company and its Independent Contractors. I’m sorry, make that “RAT’s”, and no, that’s not a typo for RTA; it’s what he and his Goons call us. (Professional, don’t you think?)

John spent an entire week, (assuming that he reads all YTB Blogs like he does mine on a daily basis.) attempting to find any type of documentation or verifiable source of what this woman posted as having any truth. He made a “quick call” to American Destinations, and sent several very demanding and demeaning e-mails to this Mother, Minister and RTA demanding proof of her findings. She simply responded that a Director had informed her of this information.

As it turns out, not only did a Director inform her, Director Jeanie Sharpless informed the rest of the company of this merger on a Company Training call on Monday, April 21, with the owner of ADI and former RTA Curtis Edwards and his son Nicholas, on a Company Conference call. (It is my understanding that Curtis and his family had to resign as RTA’s as their role with YTB has now changed.) These are recorded and archived in our back office, enabling me (and you) to listen to the call from Monday night. Many of you not only know of Jeanie, but respect and admire all she does for us in Training and educating us how to sell more and more Travel. ($414.5 Million worth of Travel in 2007) Are we to assume that Jeanie could be in fear of being labeled in the same category as Regina then? What about Curtis’s wife and Mother to Nicholas?

After listening to the archived Company call and then going back to this hideous post and reading the comments from these arrogant yet oh so shallow group of Thugs, I began to wonder who in their right mind would do something like this?

Vultures do this, wild dogs do this, hyenas do this, parasites do this, but human beings should certainly not be categorized in this class of life form who rip and tear into someone who they think is beneath them. But somehow, there it was, for the entire world to see, and being from such a low class of life, they appear to feel justified in their actions and accusations towards this woman, Mother and Minister because try as some obliviously made to defend and help Regina, not one RTA was able to provide the proof John felt he needed to inform him that her post was accurate and true.

Anything associated with YTB by the way is automatically either suspect or in question, no matter how valid or solid the information may appear to be. It’s MLM, and we MLM’ers are the problem, NOT someone like John and his Followers.

To me, and this is strictly my opinion, I have to question how anyone could be so obsessed and paranoid over our company to get them so constipated about who we are and what we do that they can’t find a strong enough laxative, cleanse, or enema to cure what ails them. After watching and dealing with s
uch arrogance and anger from this group for as many years as I have, I actually believe they truly enjoy their misery. Their anger and hatred towards anyone associated with our company, no matter what any individual’s motives are or how pure a human being may appear to be outside of YTB, if you’re in YTB, you are absolute scum.

While I understand that this class of life, especially John, feel justified in their actions, I have to wonder what single Moms would think of John’s post and graphic picture who have or are considering utilizing and purchasing travel services from Travels With Fred or his partnership with his Single Parent Travel web site and businesses. Did he ever stop to think how a Parent would feel about this post not knowing anything about YTB or this woman and Minister? Many people on the outside of his band of Thugs know nothing about YTB, although he is trying in vein to inform them. (With his false and misleading information no less.)

I’m betting he didn’t, but I’m also betting that the internet being the powerful source of research that it is, many single Mothers can and will Google John Frenaye and Single Parent Travel or Travels with Fred, and while they may not find the cesspool he calls a blog, (instead as of now finding something about the 10 Commandments of Travel??!!) they will begin to find this blog and post complete with a PDF copy of the post for download and a mirror of the blog’s source code as a copy of his handy work so the entire ordeal can be kept permanently for everyone to reference. (Just in case this post kicks him in the rear hard enough to relieve him of his apparent constipation.)

Again, I remind the readers how explicit the content of both links, as they are complete with graphic and comments but I firmly believe it may help his clients understand just what this man is made of. I think it’s only fair that John’s clients be allowed to judge on their own if John and Single Parent Travel might be a bad mix. Don’t you?

If they’re like me, or you, they would be terrified or at the very least ashamed to be associated with this filth, but not John, he’s standing by his convictions. He so certain this woman lied, and because she’s associated with YTB, anyone who finds this post will certainly side with him.

Are you as interested as I am to see how all this unfolds? Can you Just Picture It Now?

I wish I could express to John how badly he “stepped in it” this time. I’ve expressed to him personally when we actually communicated privately together how his anger, resentment, and obsession with this company have truly gotten the best of him. I’ve never been able to reach him in that regard, and now it appears that his unwillingness to listen could lead to some very unfortunate circumstances.

Going after someone like me is one thing, but going after a woman, Mother, and Minister the way he did with Regina is so far out of bounds, I can’t put it into words. (Imagine that, ME without words?!) I’m dumbfounded, stumped, and ashamed that I even associated with the likes of him and his band of Goons. This goes against every molecule, cell, and fiber of my being.

But that’s just me.

So, it’s come to this. It’s come down to me going public myself and saying to John, “Come here Boy…why don’t you come pick on someone your own size?”

By chance, you might be thinking that this Mother Regina isn’t capable of taking care of herself. Well, you might think again. I’m six foot and 215 pounds, and if my Mother who is five foot nothing found out that I picked on an innocent Mother and Minister the way John just did, she’d grab me by my ear, take me out to the back of the wood shed, and whip me with a long leather strap.

(Hmmm, anybody know John’s Mom?)

Dear John,

You owe this woman a public apology, and maybe you could even purchase and send her flowers for Mothers Day from her own web site if it you think it might help. But I don’t think your man enough… no make that human enough, to actually swallow that pride of yours and offer up something apologetic or sincere. You’re cold as ice buddy, and I have to question if someone like you even has a pulse let alone any remorse for what you have done to this Mother and Minister.

Furthermore, if you think you can offer up an apology just to get some sort of retraction or comment out of me, think again. You deserve every bit of what you have coming to you, and while Regina is a Christian woman who has forgiven you, you’re not going to be quite as lucky with me. I’ll still think you’re a “Tool” and you’re going to have to do considerably more than a simple apology or retraction in order for me to even entertain any idea of changing my belief that you are nothing more than the Coward, Fraud and Zealot that you are.

Just Picture It Now, I remind you that this woman you so blatantly attacked has the faith, character and strength to not only pray for you, but forgive you for what you have done. Kind of whittles down that big strong “man image” you try so hard to portray, don’t it?

I’ll leave you with this John…

I exchanged e-mail’s with Andy Cauthen earlier this week concerning your post and obsession over Hickory Travel Services, which by the way, you have absolutely no proof or documentation of. He has invited you and any of your other Thugs who care to up to the home office to discuss any issues you have with our Company. You have an open invitation to discuss directly with people who are responsible for and have lost complete control of rouge RAT’s like Regina Osei.

While I can’t promise, I bet they’ll even pick you up in the Company Jet. Not to show off, but to assure you that they’re on their way, since you are tracking every place this plane flies. This way you can be notified via e-mail just as soon as the flight plan has been filed.

Think about it…and if you’re man enough to take on someone your own size instead of a harmless, innocent woman, let me know. You know where to find me.

If not, you can go pound sand with the rest of your Goons. We’re taking over this industry our way, and there’s not a damn thing you can do about it Pal.

To the rest of the good, decent, hard working RTA’s in YTB;

It is my belief that we need to send a very strong message to John Frenaye. Please excuse my French here, but John is so constipated the man thinks his shit doesn’t stink.

So, if you are as appalled as I am over John’s behavior, I invite you to let the general public decide if John’s business is worth patronizing and let the chips fall were they may.

And we’re going to do it the only way we know best. “Word of mouth advertising”.

If
you have a blog I want you to write an article about how appalled you are over this lame stunt of John’s and his attack on an innocent Wife, Mother, and Minister, you’re colleague in YTB. I would also recommend for rankings that you point people to this very post. (The more links to this post and site, the more likely it will be found on the first page of the search engines.)

http://travel-pro.blogspot.com/2008/04/dear-john.html

If you know how to use tags, or keywords in you blog please insert the following:

John Frenaye, George Dooley, MSNBC, Tripso, Travels with Fred, Single Parent Travel, JVE Group, ASTA, Travel Agent Issues, Brick and Mortar, Home Based Travel Agent, MLM and Travel a Bad Mix.

If you participate in forums and other message boards, please post how appalled you are concerning John’s actions and in both cases let it be known to your Company is the “New Breed” of Travel Agent. Which happens to be legitimate and respectable business and can be found at http://www.ytb.com/.

I realize that many of you are Christian’s and may like Regina and Coach, turn the other cheek and simply pray for John, and forgive him. Please understand that praying for him will also help John and I commend you for beliefs and those actions as well.

This is your choice, but I also believe that something needs to be done concerning the Cancer we have among us.

To Regina and her family;

I’m sorry about all this. I can’t control John and his actions. Nobody can. I can’t tell you how much I admire and respect your decision to pray for and forgive John. I do agree with you, he is a troubled soul, and he certainly needs the hand of God to help him through his troubles.

I want you to know that you are not only remarkable, but loved throughout this company. I truly believe that. YTB is like family to me, and you are certainly part of it.

Please accept my sincere apology and feel the love and warmth I have for you at this very moment.

In closing, I’m not sure if I will post the rest of this week. I need to at least take a shower after swimming in this mud and filth of John’s. I also need to work on letting the anger and resentment I have towards John right now go. Airing my beliefs and feelings here certainly helps. We may find the “documentation” John needs to make the retraction he claims he’ll make. If so, I might inform all of you.

If not, try to have a great week in spite of the tone it has started.


PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812
Book Your Travel & Vacations With


TSO #588629
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Looking For Keys In The Dark

Monday, March 3rd, 2008
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I started a huge task weeks ago when I promised John Frenaye that I would get his questions answered. ALL his questions. Over the next couple weeks due to the length of this list, I have focused on each of these questions one at a time. My goal here is not only to answer the question, but also point out why this question is even asked in the first place.

While I hoped this would be an excellent opportunity and tool for anyone with additional comments about each of the specific questions to get better clarification, I seem to have been doing an outstanding job. Very little has come from the “other side” to contradict what I have to say. The comments section to discuss each of the questions in greater detail has been lacking at best. I think they’ve learned early on in this process that documentation beats conversation any day of the week.

Here are the questions we have gone over thus far.


Question #2 – How YTB arrived at $226 Million in travel sold for 2006. (Still waiting.)

Question #3 - Why so little of the “training” at the annual convention was for travel. (OK, YTB only believes in training at other meetings. We can let this one go.)


Question #4 - How nearly 150,000 RTAs can pay in the course of 9 months $79 million dollars in website sales, fees, and training; and receive $9.3 million in return. (This is huge…anyone?)

Question #5 - And for those that say I don’t get the math, I did not learn how nearly 150,000 people paid in $79 million dollars and only got $64 million in return. (Hello? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?)

Question #6 - Why it is a good thing to have your top executives selling off stock. (There were no takers on this one, so I am gonna assume that it probably is NOT a good thing as everyone initially thought.)

Question #7 - Why a 3:1 split was a good deal when two of the three shares are worthless. (Thanks to Doug for the most reasonable explanation of this. The split may have been a good deal but with the current value of the stock, it is anyone’s guess.)

Question #8 - Why employees at YTB could not sell me a cruise on November 9th. (Still no answer on this one yet other than they don’t do anything till an RTA sells it. Well, the YTB site said to call them. Coach in an interview was touting how the res center is all staffed with professional agents. So, why is it that they cannot sell me a cruise, and how is it that they do not know that cruises do not depart from Phoenix?)

Question #9 – Why when presented with facts and figures, the argument mysteriously turns to “you don’t understand”. (This is another one that we will just have to say…because that is the way it is.)


Question #10 – How many RTAs drop out in a month…a year….. (This number I fear will NEVER be known.)


Question #11 – How long does an RTA continue to pay the fee before canceling? (Answered. They continue to pay as long as YTB continues to charge them and they jump through the hoops to get them to stop.


Question #12 – How it is a misunderstanding with IATAN and Royal Caribbean. (Answered. It apparently was NOT a misunderstanding and RCCL called a spade a spade and it is what it is. YTB has moved on and said they would never do business with RCCL again.)

From what I’ve learned about the IATAN and Royal Caribbean situations, I believe YTB needs to take blame for IATAN, and Royal Caribbean needs to take blame for Royal Caribbean. John is correct however, that YTB has clearly moved on and while everyone thought this would devastate our business back in October and November, here we are month’s later, still selling travel, still being paid on travel, and still finding new people who want to become a part of this company. Unofficial word currently is that YTB’s first month in Canada brought in some 9000 new RTA’s into the fold. While IATA and Royal Caribbean have certainly been uncomfortable for most people, it’s had very little effect on day to day operations and abilities YTB as a whole.


I find it amusing that everyone wants YTB RTA’s to answer these questions concerning IATA and Royal Caribbean. While all the attention is focused on YTB RTA’s, demanding why this and why that, all these demands are focused in the wrong area.

Dr. Wayne Dyer has given the best analogy I’ve ever read in his book The Power of Intention.


Dr. Dyer tells a story of how someone has lost their keys inside the house. As they are looking for their keys, the electricity goes out and it’s dark inside, making it useless to search for anything let alone keys. As they ponder what to do, they see a street light outside and the idea pops in their head that they can see with the light on. So they go outside to look for their keys.


After a few minutes a neighbor friend comes over to ask what they are doing, and the person looking explains “I’ve lost my keys.” Being the good neighbor, the neighbor offers to help and now they are both looking for keys under the street light.

A few minutes go by and the neighbor says, “I don’t see them anywhere here. Where did you lose them?”

The man responds “I lost them inside the house, but I can’t see a thing in there so I figured I’d look here under the light.”

The keys were lost at IATA and Royal Caribbean folks, and while everyone is looking at the spotlight that’s focused on YTB, the answers are inside with the keys at IATA and Royal Caribbean. All IATA provided was something about violating accreditation standards forbidding the “improper lending, subcontracting or hiring to a third party of an IATA numeric code by agencies.” What that probably means based on what I gather is that YTB RTA’s were trying to book direct with a vendor as “ABC Travel” and when asked the IATA number, they were giving YTB’s IATA. I by the way have always told vendors and suppliers that I’m an outside agent with YTB Travel Network, not I’m the owner of BandBVacations.com.

Yet, those that oppose our company and business model demand answers and when given the answers provided by the company, it’s not good enough. (Any wonder why it’s not good enough and they want more?) At this point, anything further is moot. I’m still able to book travel directly with vendors, I’m still booking travel on my booking engine and I’m still being paid on this travel. Furthermore, YTB’s been able to attract the largest vendor in China with an exclusive partnership here in the US, and YTB has expanded into Canada, Bermuda, Bahamas and Virgin Islands since this accreditation was lost in the dark secrecy of IATA.

Maybe it’s not nearly as important as some would like you to believe. (Who knew?)



Royal Caribbean on the other hand is in my view turning out to be a “Royal Mistake” on their part. While everyone thought this was the beginning of the end back in October when it first happened, no other major suppliers have followed suit nor have any more than four Agencies been terminated. What followed after Lisa Bauer sent out just 4 letters, Carnival hooked up with YTB less than a month later for our One Day Sale, Lisa Bauer then moved into Hotel Operations in early December, and Vicki Freed then moved into her position just a month later. Even Joystar, the only other Agency named publically in the “Royal Mistake” believes it was nothing more than a “misunderstanding” and hopes to enter back into the fold with Royal Caribbean.


Traditionalists in the industry will never look at any of this as back peddling, and why should they? They (the Traditionalist’s) believe YTB is only about selling web sites and not selling travel. It’s comical how Traditionalists know this as “fact”. I’ve been round and round trying to help them come to grips that the $226 Million sold in Travel Weekly’s Power List as “travel sales”, but they insist they know better than I do. Suppliers on the other hand seem to have a quite different perspective based on what data they have available to them. Vicki, being politically correct as always, finds their view “interesting”. She pointed out that was published that YTB booked $13 Million with Royal Caribbean during the first 9 months of 2007, about 18,000 7 week equivalent weeks for Carnival. Last I heard YTB has 40,000 7 week equivalents with Carnival alone so far for 2008.

Wonder what these Traditionalists who have stuck their head in the sand will do when YTB comes in this year with somewhere around $550 Million in “verified travel sales”? Based on the 2007 Travel Weekly report, that would put YTB in the Top 20, and when YTB reaches its goal of $1 Billion in Travel Sales for 2008 (with or without Royal Caribbean or IATA) puts YTB in the Top 12 Agencies.

It may take a little time, much like the profits that showed up this year. I just keep the main thing, the main thing, and that’s building my YTB business. Everything else will take care of itself.

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812
Book Your Travel & Vacations With


TSO #588629
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Still Waiting? What the….

Friday, January 25th, 2008
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I started a huge task on Wednesday when I promised John Frenaye that I would get his questions answered. ALL his questions. Over the next couple of days, okay maybe weeks due to the length of this list, I’m going to focus on each of these questions one at a time. My goal here is not only to answer the question, but also point out why this question is even asked in the first place.

This will also be an excellent opportunity and tool for anyone with additional comments about each of the specific questions to get better clarification. Use the comments section to discuss each of the questions in greater detail. I remind you that I learned how to accomplish such a huge task from Brian Tracy and his courses, which teach that you focus on the each task one at a time, focus on the solution, break it down into manageable chunks, and before you know it, you’ve achieved your goal. (By the way…I just got an e-mail from Brian regarding a New Years Coupon to Save 20% on all his courses!)

It should be a really fun debate, and for those of you in YTB, take this information and documentation and use it. Here are the questions we have gone over thus far.

Question #1 -
Why a compensation plan takes 12 pages to define?

Question #2 - How YTB arrived at $226 Million in travel sold for 2006. (Still waiting.)

Most of us know by now that the numbers were taken directly from our suppliers who we asked to provide numbers for us. Tabulating numbers that were directly booked off our web sites is easy to track and report. If that’s all YTB RTA’s did, it would be easily tracked and verified electronically. As our company matures and RTA’s get more and more comfortable with the concept of being a “Travel Agent”, many RTA’s are stepping out and speaking with and booking directly with vendors. (Our Group Cruise page is a perfect example of needing to arrange directly with the vendor first to secure price and availability for our clients for actual bookings.)

I’ve been dealing with accusations from those outside of our company for years about what YTB actually books. All anyone looks at is our SEC filings, which everyone “should know” as commissions, not gross sales, and these commissions are not reported to the SEC until YTB actually has the commission in hand. Doing otherwise, or what we “expected to receive” in commissions from booking made in 2006 is highly illegal and would put YTB in a bunch of hot water.

While Travel may have been booked in 2006, it is not reported to the SEC until the commission is received. Again, our Group Cruise page is a perfect example of what YTB has “booked”, but until these groups or clients have paid all deposits, commissions can not be reported to the SEC until YTB physically has the commission in hand. The Frye Thanksgiving Cruise for November 2008 is a perfect example of some 40,000 7 Day equivalent cruises YTB has booked with Carnival alone for 2008. (Did you catch that? 40,000 7 day Equivalent Weeks with Carnival and it’s only January.) While Carnival reports this group as a booking for 2007, it won’t show up on our SEC filings until Q4 2008.

When YTB’s number was given to Travel Weekly early in 2007, it certainly raised some attention on their end. So much so that on January 8, 2007 Kim Sorenson was interviewed by Travel Weekly after they found out how much business YTB “claimed” they did. Apparently the $250 to $300 Million that we “claimed” raised enough eyebrows that Travel Weekly wanted to investigate further. (Can we all agree you don’t just take a “Networkers” word for it?) So we know that Travel Weekly was aware of what YTB first reported at the beginning of 2007.

A full 6 months later, on June 25, 2007 Travel Weekly reports “verified” numbers of $226 Million for YTB, ranking them at #35 overall, and all hell breaks loose. I invite anyone wishing to find out more about how Travel Weekly came up with these numbers to read the bottom of page 25 of the report. You will note that Travel Weekly “sought to confirm accuracy whenever possible”, and also “reviewed responses for consistency and used whatever resources they had at the
ir disposal to ensure accuracy”. You may also note that BCD Travel was not certified (#4 on the list) but the $12 Billion number was one they “generally give out”. (I don’t see any huff over that number anywhere.) You may also notice after further review there are several notations throughout the list concerning other companies that did not meat or exceed the required certification needs which was noted…but nothing mentioned about YTB?

Could that be because YTB satisfied all of Travel Weekly’s requirements concerning accuracy of $226 Million in Travel Sales?

October 22, 2007 Arnie Wiessmann described how over 8000 RTA’s flooded our Funshine Travel Training which had suppliers “gushing” about what YTB is doing concerning travel. (However, none would be willing to go “on record” for fear of the backlash they would get from Traditionalists in the market.)

November 2, 2007 Vicki Freed was quoted “It has been published that they [YTB] sold over $13 million of business with another cruise line and I can assure you that we also have millions of dollars in cruise revenue generated as well

October 24, 2007 Kim Sorenson interviewed again by Travel Weekly as HE explains that the numbers were “gleaned” from many different sources, and they were “verified sales”. It should also be noted that Kim specifically addresses that these numbers come from travel and not “net revenue” from our marketing side. (Why should a Travel Publication even consider networking revenue?)

November 20, 2007 I went into great detail how these numbers were acquired, verified, and totaled.

November 20, 2007, (Same day) Kim Sorensen was named one of 33 “Most Influential” and warns that suppliers are now forced to decide if they want our business or not with a Top 50 Travel Agency.

December 7, 2007 Kim Sorensen was again interviewed, this time in Travel Trade, again quoting a $226 Million dollar figure in Travel Revenue and warns that 2007 numbers will reach approximately $550 Million in sales. (Putting YTB in the Top 20 overall.)

January 9, 2008 Carnival saves face AND its YTB business with a brilliant move by imposing new booking requirements for FAM’s. Clearly Carnival does not want to follow the Royal Caribbean lead made months earlier.

January 17, 2008 John is still waiting for an answer.

With all the sources and documentation out there concerning the $226 Million YTB sold, I if find it hard to believe that anyone is still waiting on this answer. If there is any question about the validity or accuracy, maybe those that want to contradict or discredit this number need to ask Travel Weekly and not YTB RTA’s?

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Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker

Phone: 678.458.5812


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YTB offers FREE Cruise with Carnival…

Thursday, January 10th, 2008
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I thought that might get your attention… ;-p

I’ve got a couple of questions.

I’m wondering if Carnival has a chance in the next couple days to get the word out about their new sales requirements for FAM’s to those of us in YTB? I’m also wondering what most of YTB will think of Carnival for making this move after our Top Producers enjoy a cruise with them for free. I couldn’t tell you if this has ever been done before, and I imagine that it probably has, but I’m wondering how often Carnival or any other cruise line reserves and entire ship for one company?

Wow…I have a lot of questions today, don’t I?

I spend a lot of time reading comments and posts on forums, message boards, and blogs and I find some of the positioning about what Carnival announced on Wednesday about their new requirements concerning FAM trips. For some reason, everyone who opposes the YTB business model thinks (in general terms) that Carnival is “putting the screws” to YTB for making this move, “turning up the heat” if you will.

Chaaa…right!

What Carnival is doing is trying to let the rest of the travel industry know they hear and understand the issues that Traditional Travel Agents have. For good reason too, Vicki Freed was hammered so bad on her Blog that she had to remove all comments from irate Travel Agents who condemned Carnival for supporting YTB and other Travel MLM’s. The problem is that Carnival knows exactly who and what YTB is. Not only has Carnival awarded their Pinnacle Award to YTB for the last three years in a row, but Carnival was also the company who came to YTB’s aid back in November to help prove to the rest of the industry that YTB sells travel.

Guys, they threw Travel Agents a bone, and they can chew on it all they want. Like I said in my last post, Carnival figured out a way to have their cake and eat it too. The issues are not either/or, and there is a way to have both.

I have to wonder when some will wake up and smell the coffee. They need to open their eyes and look at what just transpired. Can they not only see support Carnival gives YTB or the supporting documentation Travel Weekly and Modern Agent have provided with quotes about MLM’s producing impressive numbers for suppliers? Even long time opposition to YTB Travel Trade now understands the impact of YTB and our growing sales numbers.

Some also believe this is the beginning of the end of the impressive recruiting numbers that YTB has been producing, more than doubling our sales force from 60K to over 135K in 2007 alone. Little do they know, (or simply ignore) that YTB has been laying the ground work for what’s currently going on for months.

Back in August, at the National Convention, the Coach’s Birthday Bash was announced. While the contest does reward our top Power Team Builders, that’s only HALF of the ship. The other half of the ship this weekend are top Travel Sellers with our company. Winners of Travel sales were based on the number of bookings (double occupancy) for all cruises, tours, and vacation packages booked. Air, car, and hotel were ONLY included in the total if all three are booked together. No other combinations of air, car, and hotel applied.

Other Travel related programs introduced back in August included:

- In addition to our Directors who build teams, now any RTA who earns $25,000 in travel commissions in a 12-month period will qualify for fully paid health insurance with Blue Cross Blue Shield. Commission level must be maintained to continue to receive this benefit.

- Effective January 1, 2008, new requirements were placed in order to qualify for a YTB Referring Travel Agent credential card. RTAs joining as of January 1, 2008 must sell a minimum of $1,500 in travel before applying for the RTA credential card. ($2,500 for CLIA requirements)

- Fun & Travel Magazine was introduced as a twice annual publication all about TRAVEL! (And ONLY Travel) This magazine discusses travel trends, features preferred vendors, and reviews the hottest travel destinations.

- RTAs were also introduced a new opportunity to sell a one-year subscription in a Two Fly Free program for a $300 fee. This will allow for free airfare from select cities when purchased in conjunction with a 7-10 night hotel stay (intern
ational destinations are also available).

Many also don’t realize that YTB already had it’s own requirements in place for FAM’s. Any RTA who wanted a FAM trip with Carnival, or any other cruise line, needed to abide and follow the following company requirements.

“Book only two cruises (two cabins) at regular fare for your customers and you’ll be qualified to take another discounted cruise.

In order to book a discount cruise on Princess Cruise Lines you must have sold a minimum of FOUR (4) regular rate cabins on that cruise line. Holland America requires a minimum of FIVE (5) previous bookings of regular rate cabins to qualify.All Reduced Rate cruise requests must be made through the corporate office of YTB Travel Network.

Please submit your request to reducedrates@ytb.com for verification. Any reduced rate requests made directly to the vendor risk cancellation (penalties may apply).”

All announced to YTB Reps and RTA’s long before any of the current issues surrounding Travel MLM’s came to light from the other side. And we still grew like gangbusters in spite of these new requirements and policies that the other side thinks “turns up the heat”.

I have a good friend who’s outside of the industry, (cruisinman) who’s been a real advocate of Travel MLM’s for years. He understands the model very well, as he was with other Travel MLM’s in the mid to late 90’s. For as long as I’ve known Tom, he’s been predicting that suppliers would either turn off, or require exactly what Carnival just announced concerning the FAM issue. If you look at the thread I’ve linked to and comments concerning Tom, you can easily come to the conclusion that not only do Traditional Travel Agents not like him, but he also doesn’t care what they think.

I say “Bully Mr. Coleman for your insight.” While Tom hasn’t been on mark, (Nor have I) all the time, he does have a much better overview and understanding of the entire industry. He had this Carnival move pegged years ago, and I’m willing to bet that not one Travel Agent that he irritates will recognize that.

But I will.

Knowledge and understanding is power. For those of us who have a firm grasp of what’s really going on in this industry right now like YTB, this Carnival move helps YTB separate itself from all those “Overpriced Travel Clubs” that Nadine Godwin mentioned in her predictions on Monday. I suppose we will always have individuals who take predictions like Nadine’s and twist them to mean something entirely different. Verbiage like “in some cases” automatically translates to “YTB”, the phrase “impressive sales” translates to “some sales”, and “players” translate to Travel MLM’s not Suppliers.

If Travel Agents need to view the issues surrounding Travel MLM’s from this perspective, it’s certainly within their right. In the meantime, YTB just keep chugging along, doing what we do, and while I recognize what’s being said, I have to question the validity of the translations by those opposed to our model.

Make no mistake about how 2008 is starting out for YTB. While there are plenty of issues remaining and more work to be done, some of the dust is starting to settle and we are only know beginning to see what is clearly a change for the better for everyone involved in this industry.

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Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker

Phone: 678.458.5812

Learn How To Become A Travel Agent
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Travel Reservations: 1.800.243.4450

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More Press For YTB!

Wednesday, December 12th, 2007
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We have another columnist in our midst who believes he has all the answers and proper positioning when it comes to Multi Level Marketing. In the last few weeks James Gilden has regurgitated an article in the LA Times and the Chicago Tribune with his experience and insight into YTB in particular. Because, Mr. Gilden’s piece is published in well respected publications like the LA Times and Chicago Tribune, (and from my understanding to be published as well in the Kansas City Star) Mr. Gilden MUST not only know what he’s talking about, but his views and opinions should be taken as gospel.

I have to admit, I came very close to violating one of my own golden rules, which is “Never believe a word I say, without verifying it on your own to be true”. In the process of “verifying” this article part of my due diligence was checking into Mr. Gilden’s “credentials” so to speak. What’s amusing (to me at least) about Mr. Gilden is his focus is on internet Travel specifically and is dubbed “The Internet Traveler“. James first began using the Web as a travel resource in 1996, when United Airlines introduced the United Connection software for booking airline tickets online. (About the Writer) His own statistics state the following:

“The number of travelers like you who are booking travel online is staggering – more than 91 million made a travel reservation online in 2005, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Half of all travelers now use the Internet to buy – not just research – travel, according to a November 2006 survey from market research firm J.D. Power and Associates, up from 46% in 2005. Online travel spending in the U.S. in 2006 will be $68 billion, up about 15% over the previous year, according to comScore Networks.

If anyone should get that Internet Travel is changing this industry, he certainly should.

However, James, like so many others can’t get this Network Marketing
aspect of YTB out of the way long enough to take a serious look at why it’s not only smart, but potentially lucrative to own your own Travel Agency where these same 91 Million people made travel reservations in 2005.
Because YTB has three dirty letters (MLM) attached to it’s name to promote and build our business, these opportunities in Travel couldn’t exist for someone like me because the model is not only flawed, but will inevitably collapse on itself.

It was my understanding that the second articles released in both the Chicago Tribune and Kansas City Star were to be a “much expanded” retort on our company. I don’t see much expanded, other than a quote or two from one of the most influential in the Travel Industry, J. Kim Sorenson, and it’s not all that surprising that our Company President isn’t shown in the best light. Why anyone would expect anything more, given the limiting beliefs about Network Marketing in general would be asking a bit too much.

About the only other change between the first LA Times article and the “expanded” article was a note that a former RTA was actually refunded money after giving his YTB Business a short 3 month stint to see if he could get discounts. YTB cerainly didn’t have to refund any money to this individual, as it’s clearly stated in our terms and conditions he is limited to 5 days in order to be eligable for a no questions asked “refund”. I’m not aware of any investment who will refund any money after 30 days let alone 90. If there is…let me know.

John Frenaye made a couple of comments on his Blog about the article(s) and not surprising, he’s of the same limiting belief of Mr. Gilden. Apparently no one knows, (including Kim Sorenson) where the $7 Trillion a year number about our industry comes from. (Anyone, who does their own research can find this number in a report from The World Travel & Tourism Council.) This report by the way, is quite extensive and also supports other numbers of interest.

We are also directed once again to look at the company financials comparing revenue from Marketing with revenue generated from Travel. YTB currently has 575 Group Cruises “on the books” for 2008 (minimum 30 cabins per group) and not on our financials until next year when commissions will actually be paid. I’ve been over this so many times my head hurts from the wall that’s put up by those who simply “don’t get it”.

Side note: I have clients in Germany this week who booked this trip with me in November of 2006. I got a card from them today expressing how much they enjoyed their first night on the Rhine looking at all the beautiful Christmas lights. However, it won’t count until it shows up on the Q1 2008 financials when we have some 150,000 RTA’s (instead of the 60,000 at the time of booking) who have been paid for Marketing the company, and not selling any travel.

Oh well…

We are left to assume that the “average RTA” only earns $82 per year and the following RTA’s don’t exist because the system is flawed. "article_text">

  • Tina from Houston, TX. Her total earnings for 2007 are $18,777.88 or an average of $1,707.08 per month for 2007.
  • Ruth & Floyd from Frontenac, MO. Total earnings for 2007 are $12,995.65 with an average of $1,181.42 per month for 2007.
  • Carol from Fort Lauderdale, FL. Total earnings for 2007 are $11,480.89 with an average of $1,043.72 per month for 2007.
  • Lenore from Pearl City, IL. Total earnings for 2007 are $14,044 with an average of $1,276.72 per month for 2007.

So how did I come up with numbers like this? We have another columnist in our midst who actually took the time to ask what the travel numbers are, direct from J. Kim Sorensen himself, Travel Trade senior editor George Dooley. (George by the way is the same Senior Editor who interviewed me back in November.)

That being said, which article do you think might help in regards to helping you make an informed, educated, business decision about YTB? Who do you think might have done a better job in asking questions? Who do you think might be more credible based on what is being reported?

Before you answer, we’ll take a closer look at George Dooley’s interview from “The Man” himself, J. Kim Sorensen within the next day or two.

Subscribe to Just Picture It Now for additional announcements and details!

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker

Phone: 678.458.5812

Learn How To Become A Travel Agent
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Book Your Travel & Vacations With


Travel Reservations: 1.800.243.4450

RTA #24635

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