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YTB International Announces Financial Results for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2008


WOOD RIVER, Ill., May 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- YTB International, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: YTBLA) ("YTB" or the "Company"), a provider of Internet-based travel booking services for travel agencies and home-based independent representatives inthe United States,Puerto Rico,Bermuda, the Bahamas, theU.S. Virgin Islands, andCanada, today announced its financial results for the three month period ended March 31, 2008.

Total revenue for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 increased 76.7% to $42.7 million, compared to $24.2 million for the first quarter last year. The Company's property and equipment increased from the December 31, 2007 balance of $15.4 million to $18.9 million as of March 31, 2008 or 22.7%. The number of RTAs increased to 138,814 in the first quarter of 2008 from 82,932 in the comparable quarter of 2007. The Company believes the significant increased number of RTAs is attributable to the emerging market shift for travel services to the Internet.

Net loss for the first quarter of 2008 was $3.5 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $2.2 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2007. The loss is primarily attributable to stock awards, and promotional and expansion expenses totaling approximately $3.1 million. As of March 31, 2008, the Company had $1.3 million in cash and cash equivalents. Net cash used in investing activities was $4.1 million during the first quarter of 2008 compared to $1.3 million used in the first quarter of 2007.

Scott Tomer, Chief Executive Officer of YTB, commented on the first quarter results, stating, "We are pleased by the significant increase that we experienced in our top-line results during the quarter. This growth speaks directly to the demand for our travel related services, and our ability to meet or exceed specific sales growth objectives through diligent execution. We are acutely aware that sustainable growth requires reinvestment in our company, and with this in mind, we incurred several charges during the quarter, directly related to the promotion of our brand, and the retention of our top performers and personnel. During the quarter, we also incurred expenses related to our expansion into three new countries to help build our international presence. Primarily due to these investments in our company, we reported a loss for the quarter."

Mr. Tomer continued, "During this first quarter we continued to focus on the sale of travel by our RTAs, as well as the strengthening of our executive team. We welcomed two new members to our Board of Directors, Mr. Paul Hemings and Mr. Burt Saunders, and we are excited by the valuable experience that they bring from their respective fields. Looking forward, we plan on continuing to execute our stated mission to revolutionize the travel field by offering affordable travel and unique opportunities for motivated individuals to participate within this burgeoning industry.

"We see our recent move to the Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board as a positive step forward for us, and welcome the new investors that are now able to participate in the growth of our company."

About YTB International

Recognized as the 35th largest seller of travel in the U.S. in 2006 by Travel Weekly, YTB International, Inc. provides Internet-based travel booking services for home-based independent representatives inthe United States, Puerto Rico, theBahamas,Canada,Bermuda, and theU.S. Virgin Islands.

The Company operates through three subsidiaries: YourTravelBiz.com, Inc., YTB Travel Network, Inc., and REZconnect Technologies, Inc. YourTravelBiz.com focuses on marketing online travel websites through a nationwide network of independent business people, known as 'Reps.' YTB Travel Network establishes and maintains travel vendor relationships, processes travel transactions of online travel agents and affiliates, collects travel commissions and pays sales commissions. Each RTA directs consumers to the YTB Internet-based travel website. The REZconnect Technologies division operates as a travel vendor relationship management company and offers franchises of brick and mortar travel agencies. For more information, visit http://www.ytbi.com/investor.

Statements about the Company's future expectations, including future revenues and earnings, and all other statements in this press release other than historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange of 1934, and as that term is defined in the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, and the Company's actual results could differ materially from expected results. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequently occurring events or circumstances.

                               (Tables Follow)

      This document is available on the KCSA Strategic Communications at
                                www.kcsa.com.



                           YTB INTERNATIONAL, INC.
               Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
                                 (Unaudited)

                                                     Three months ended
                                             March 31, 2008    March 31, 2007

    Net revenues                               $42,727,567       $24,178,481

    Operating expenses:
         Operating expenses (exclusive of
          depreciation and amortization
          shown below)                          45,643,718        26,188,396
         Depreciation and amortization             535,662           214,032

    Total operating expenses                    46,179,380        26,402,428

    Loss from operations                        (3,451,813)       (2,223,947)


    Total other income (expense)                    40,162            46,925

    Loss before income tax provision            (3,411,651)       (2,177,022)

    Income tax provision                           106,000               -

    Net loss                                   $(3,517,651)      $(2,177,022)

    Net loss per share:

         Weighted-average shares
          outstanding - basic for Class A
          and Class B                          102,858,468        94,309,323
         Weighted-average shares
          outstanding - diluted for Class
          A and Class B                        102,858,468        94,309,323

         Net loss per share - basic for
          Class A and Class B (amounts              $(0.03)           $(0.02)
          for Class A and Class B shares
          are the same under the two-class
          method.)

         Net loss per share - diluted for
          Class A and Class B (amounts              $(0.03)           $(0.02)
          for Class A and Class B shares
          are the same under the two-class
          method.)




                           YTB INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

                                             March 31, 2008
                                               (Unaudited)   December 31, 2007
    ASSETS
    Current assets:
         Cash and cash equivalents              $1,275,823        $1,730,570
         Other current assets, net              38,899,128        39,039,546

         Total current assets                   40,174,951        40,770,116

    Long-term investments                        1,000,000         1,000,000
    Property and equipment, net                 18,941,494        15,432,502
    Intangible assets, net                       2,376,794         2,395,151
    Goodwill                                     3,128,441         2,979,322
    Other assets, net                                5,563           316,895

    TOTAL ASSETS                               $65,627,243       $62,893,986

    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
    Current liabilities                        $48,639,010       $44,417,965

    Other long-term liabilities:
         Long-term debt, less current
          maturities                               213,998           219,641
         Other liabilities                         948,630           947,946

        Total other long-term liabilities        1,162,628         1,167,587

    TOTAL LIABILITIES                           49,801,638        45,585,552

    TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                  15,825,605        17,308,434

    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS'
     EQUITY                                    $65,627,243       $62,893,986



    Investor Contacts:
    Garth Russell / Yemi Rose
    KCSA Strategic Communications
    212-896-1250/ 212-896-1233

SOURCE YTB International, Inc.

Tags: Computers and Electronics, Banking and Finance, High Tech, illinois
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