OpTree

In the wake of the announcement that third quarter profits have plummeted for online travel site, YTB, comes the announcement that the company has decided to mix some things up in their management team.

The company announced this week that they have promoted J. Kim Sorensen to Vice Chairman and Andrew Cauthen to President. 

Sorenson, who was previously president of YTB International, will remain President and Chief Executive of the company’s subsidiary, YTB Travel Network. 

Cauthen joined YTB since 2004 as the company’s Chief Operating Officer and then moved up to serve as President of YourTravelBiz in 2006. Cauthen was then named COO of YTB International in January 2008.

YTB has been hit pretty hard these last few months, not only have their profits plummetted almost 90% percent, but they’re being investigated for illegal practices in two different states, they’ve had to lay people off and just yesterday came word that they had to sell an office building and their learjet.  Hopefully these reassignments will shake things up a bit and get the company going in the right direction. 

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YTB, the embattled online travel website has just announced the launch of their brand new updated website. The direct sales company, which has been in the news lately due to a variety of lawsuits regarding how the company operates, hopes that the new site will attract new users as well as provide visitors with more detailed information about the company.

The newly updated site includes lots of bright bold colors and graphics as well as user friendly tools and improved navigational capabilities but we really liked the old one better. The company has also expanded the content of the site to give users more information on the company and its leaders.

New features on the site include details of the soon to be completed corporate headquarters, features on company founders and a brand new Investor Relations page. The Investor Relations Page is probably the most important due to concerns about the company hiding details about its business practices. Visitors to the site can now take a look at the company’s stock information, SEC filings, press releases, information on the Board of Directors and corporate officers as well as and FAQ section and general corporate information.

“This new site will provide our online visitors with a more exciting and informative look into YTB today and provide a taste of where we are going tomorrow,” said J. Scott Tomer, Chief Executive Officer of YTB.

Regardless of what you think of the company, the new site is worth taking a look at. It is very user-friendly and has a lot of really good information about the company. The new site is big and bold and colorful and chock full of relevant up to date info on the company and its financial standing. The only odd thing about the site is that it seems that it was built purely for investors and those interested in the financial side of the company. There is not a lot of information on how to become an agent for the company, or its compensation plans. Take a look and let us know what you think…….

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The Professional Association of Travel Hosts (PATH) has just formally released a statement with regards to recent legal action taken against YTB.  PATH applauded the recent legal action taken against the online travel company by the State of California. The California Attorney General claims that YTB is operating a “gigantic pyramid scheme” that has defrauded thousands of people.

A Host travel agency is one that sells travel plans, programs, trips, etc. much like YTB, but through legitimate means. A legitimate Host agency will not profit from the recruitment of new agents and only makes money by selling travel plans and trips.

Andi Mysza, president of PATH, believes that the lawsuit is in the best interest of legitimate travel professionals. “This is good news for the hosting industry and I only hope that other states and the federal government will follow suit,” he said. “YTB and other card mills have been preying on unsuspecting consumers for too long. For those who really want to develop a travel business and actively sell travel, PATH provides agents with a means of locating reputable, legitimate host agencies which are not involved with multilevel marketing.”

PATH has over 18 member companies and is dedicated to upholding the ethical standards of travel professionals. In fact, PATH members are not permitted to be in any way part of a network marketing, or multilevel marketing program. All PATH members primary source of income is from the sale of travel. PATH says that it is often hard to tell a legitimate host agency from a bad one, and that they are striving to clean up the industry.

No new news in the past couple days about the YTB lawsuit, although people seem to be coming out of the woodwork speaking out against the travel company.

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