Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Travel Acquisition Group Acquires YTB (Is this the February news?)


Apparently, this was the news that YTB was all excited about in February. Remember the USA Today announcement? I picked this up as a comment on my blog and also saw it on a reputable travel board so there is at least some credence. I have calls out to verify this. Very interesting development for sure:

AP
Travel Acquisition Group Acquires YTB
Tuesday April 1, 7:10 am ET
By Dan Caterinicchia, AP Travel Writer

Eden Prairie MN-The Travel Acquisition Group (TAG), a newly formed travel franchise in conjunction with J.P. Morgan helped with the financial backing on acquiring YTB. YTB's Scott Tomer said this was a needed boost for all of our RTA's and affiliating ourselves with a group that only sees growth in the coming years. YTB had some setbacks last year with several cruise lines as YTB was referred to an industry cardmill. Mike Batt (chairman of the board for TAG) said he welcomed the merger. Once we were able to split off from Carlson Companies, we sought travel organizations that would fit our mix with our existing franchise group. With YTB's current 131,000 agents, they will be able to interact with local TAG franchises who will be their hosts on travel transactions. Batt and Tomer both stated that a late 3rd quarter transition should be finalized. The amount of financing wasn't disclosed.

18 comments:

  1. April Fools! ven Johnny Boy fell for this one! Hehehehehehhe

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  2. Eden Prairie MN-The Travel Acquisition Group (TAG), a newly formed travel franchise in conjunction with J.P. Morgan helped with the financial backing on acquiring YTB.

    This is obviously a joke.
    Notice the last part of the sentence, "helped with the financial backing on acquiring YTB". The writer did not lay any ground work leading up to that sentence. A good writer would give a few details about the so-called merger BEFORE writing about "financial backing". I have some ocean front property in Arizona for anyone who feels there is some credence to this April 1st story.

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  3. You mean TAG wouldn't want YTB. I can understand that.

    If it's a joke it's a good one! Picture it NOW - YTB going legit.

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  4. I am having even more fun picturing all those YTB dorks in their pajamas actually getting dressed and working like the rest of us TTA's do. Priceless!

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  5. Johnny said, I have calls out to verify this.

    Hey it's been over 3 hours. How long does it take?

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  6. I picked this up as a comment on my blog and also saw it on a reputable travel board so there is at least some credence.

    Oh yeah. Lots of credibility on a travel board and blog. Why don't you do your homework first before help spread a fools joke? You have all the TTA's all excited hoping its true.

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  7. Holy crap people it was a joke...relax. Just because ya'll got your tighty whiteys in a bunch thinking you'd actually have to either sell travel, get a real job or find another mlm to join doesn't mean we all can't take a joke. ITS APRIL FOOLS FOR CRYIN OUT LOUD.

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  8. Must be talking about all your TTA crybaby buddies. They appear to be easily fooled/duped!

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  9. "Must be talking about all your TTA crybaby buddies. They appear to be easily fooled/duped!"

    Hey Anon, we all KNEW it was a joke! ROTFLMAO. Talk about cry babies. Go read the other boards mass YTB panic and hysteria thinking you will actually have to get off your butts and work! You guys are so dumb and lazy you couldn't screw in a light bulb by yourselves You guys are a pathetic bunch of dorks!

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  10. Aw common, you guys were hopeing it was all true. Look at all the idiots here on this blog that thought YTB agents were in trouble. Bet you were one of them! What April fools you losers are.

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  11. "Aw common, you guys were hopeing it was all true. Look at all the idiots here on this blog that thought YTB agents were in trouble. Bet you were one of them! What April fools you losers are."

    I bet your grade school teacher is proud of the way you spell. LOSER!

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  12. I knew it, I just knew it, I could predict it! Spelled it wrong on purpose and watch this idiot LOOSER react. What a hoot!hehehehhehhehheh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  13. Anonymous said...

    I knew it, I just knew it, I could predict it! Spelled it wrong on purpose and watch this idiot LOOSER react. What a hoot!hehehehhehhehheh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    And your age would be what, 8?

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  14. OK fine...So then explain why the top directors are all at the home office signing non-disclosures today? There is obviously some sort of big change afoot.

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  15. lmao - I could tell it was intended to be a joke as well LOL

    So Anon from 824pm......."Go read the other boards mass YTB panic and hysteria thinking you will actually have to get off your butts and work!" which board?

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  16. http://www.travelweekly.com/Article.aspx?id=171340

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  17. Stock's 35% down - keep posting that one article - it means nothing when you look at the big picture.

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  18. I cannot wait to file a comment on this site when YTB becomes the biggest online travel agency in the USA which will come much faster than anyone thinks. Check out this analyst's report at:

    http://seekingalpha.com/article/70853-ytb-international-wall-street-s-next-online-travel-darling?source=yahoo

    What will you all say if he is right?

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