YTB Makes News...

Once again YTB is making news. Last year it was when Royal Caribbean terminated their relationship with “card mills,” stating that companies like YTB are “a scheme which denigrates the stature and role of the legitimate travel retailer.”

This year it’s the lawsuit filed by the California Attorney General against three subsidiaries of YTB International and certain executive officers of the company. The complaint alleges that the defendants violated California's unfair competition and advertising laws. Strange how both of these events took place right when YTB was hosting Funshine and the National Convention...

So to say the least, I’m disheartened that the travel community is taking this stab against a company I represent. I do support “brick and mortar” travel agents. They provide an invaluable service to people looking to escape from the mundane. However I didn’t sign up with one. Grant it no one knows me from a hole in the wall, but I take great pride in YTB. When I heard of all the success stories of people getting out of debt, and being able to spend more time with their families, my husband and I jumped at the chance to do the same. We get to “work” at our own pace and we know that if we don’t “work it” then it won’t work! It’s just common sense. We get to sell travel (and various other products) and “travel stores” in the hopes of making that extra cash to retire by 40. What’s so wrong with that? And there are hundreds of thousands of YTB agents that decided to quit their full-time job to work on their YTB business. So you know they have to have a serious interest in travel, right?

For me, I really do love to travel. For me, it’s not about sitting on a beach five days in a row. I love learning about different places and experiencing life in other parts of the world. I love being able to learn the history and culture of wherever I go. Everyone has some sort of “travel experience” they would like to check off from their “Things to Do” list, whether it’s an African safari or trekking through the Amazon, or even just a road trip through the States. All in all it’s about really living life and not just the daily grind of a 9-5 job just to pay your sky-high mortgage or your car payment.

So when I can, I read travel magazines and listen to conference calls to stay up with the latest travel news, and occasionally take online courses either through YTB or through travel vendors.

I’m not claiming to know all there is to know about the travel industry or MLM's for that matter. And frankly I don’t want to know. And there may be some of you out there who don’t agree with me, or YTB. But the truth is MLM’s are not going away and YTB will stay the fight. If you want read more about what’s going on with YTB check out Just Picture it Now. Or visit Travel Agent Magazine or Travel Weekly to read on how the industry is responding to the YTB lawsuit.

YTB Convention Update

The YTB National Convention is THIS WEEK and it has promised to be BIGGER and BETTER than the previous year. The event actually started last night as 80 UPS trucks transported Lady Liberty (which coincides with this year’s theme “Liberty and Travel for All”) to St. Louis. The actual start date for the convention is Wednesday August 6 and ends Sunday August 10.

This year's convention again offers Reps and RTAs the advantage of a huge selection of YTBU classes offered on Wednesday and Thursday, with enlarged classroom sizes in the America's Center portion of Edward Jones Dome. General sessions are scheduled for Friday and Saturday. Also planned: a greatly expanded Food Court and YTB Store, totaling almost 80,000 square feet!

Unfortunately I won’t be attending, but I’m hoping to bring back reports from various team members as well as HUGE announcements from Coach, Scott and Kim. GO YTB!!

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Here are some specials only available at VastVoyages.com:

Surf on French Turf, Splash on Holland's Half
New York City to St. Martin/ St. Maarten
6 Nights from $411 per person!
Travel Dates: Aug. 21 - Aug. 27, 2008

Puerto Rico: Que Romantico!
Atlanta, GA to San Juan, PR
3 Nights from $373 per person
Travel Dates: Aug. 22 - Aug. 25, 2008

Jamaica (via Montego Bay): Reggae All the Way
Los Angeles, CA to Jamaica
5 Nights from $589 per person
Travel Dates: Aug. 22 - Aug. 27, 2008

Treehouse Vacations, PLUS Bermuda's Endless Summer

July may almost be over but we still have one more month of fun in the sun before we need to put away the beach towels and sunscreen. In reading the latest issue of US Airways magazine, which I picked up on my way back from Pittsburgh, I saw an interesting article on treehouses. I don’t mean something dad built in your backyard when you were 6, but more like a treehouse vacation, or treesorts as they are being called... and it’s not just for kids anymore.

If you want your kids to experience all that nature has to offer, from these elevated bed and breakfasts, visit Cedar Creek Treehouse, located in Washington near Mount Rainier National Park or Out ‘n’ About Treesort in Takilma, Oregon. Cedar Creek can accommodate up to five people, with additional space on a stairwell observation floor, and numerous camping spots below. They require a 2-night stay minimum, and they do not allow children under 10. Out ‘n’ About Treesort offers a myriad of rooms with whimsical names like Swiss Family Complex, Treezebo, and Serendipitree, and can accommodate up to 6 people depending on the room type. Both offer family-friendly eco-adventures such as zip lines, ladder and rope courses, hiking, fishing, and more.

If you’re looking for a more secluded, luxurious and romantic experience, visit Post Ranch Inn, nestled on the cliffs of Big Sur, California. Post Ranch Inn was created for adults to relax, rejuvenate and nurture relationships. Therefore, the minimum age for guests is 18 years and older. Each room has a unique design with either an ocean or mountain view. Amenities include wood-burning fireplace, indoor or outdoor spa tub, and a private deck. There are no televisions or alarm clocks in the guestrooms.

If you’re interested in one of these “treesorts,” please contact me.

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Special Offer: BERMUDA'S ENDLESS SUMMER
Guests staying 4 nights or longer at participating properties throughout Bermuda will receive a $300 Gift Card* on bookings made by October 27, 2008, for travel August 21, 2008 - October 31, 2008

Participating hotels:
• 9 Beaches - 4th night FREE
• CoCo Reef Bermuda
• Elbow Beach, Bermuda
• The Fairmont Hamilton Princess - 4th night FREE
• The Fairmont Southampton - Save 25%
• Grotto Bay Beach Resort - 4th night FREE
• Rosedon
• Surf Side Beach Club - 4th night FREE

Air inclusive packages available from most U.S. gateways

*$300 Gift Card is one per booking and issued upon arrival. Gift card can be used at any Bermuda merchant that accepts major credit cards. This offer is not combinable with any other hotel promotion. Valid on new bookings with a 4-night minimum stay required. Individual hotel promotions listed above may be restricted to specific dates, days of travel, and room categories. Blackout dates and other restrictions may apply. Offers exclude Fly/Drives and may not be available for group travel.

Contact me for more information or to book these vacations.