YTB International Inc., which has recruited around 700 members to its multi-level marketing network in Bermuda, has announced that subsidiary YTB Travel Network held the most successful travel trade show in its history, earlier this month.

The two-day event, which was held in Orlando, Florida between September 12 and 13, included 39 travel vendors with 20 different travel seminars.

One of the highlights of the event was a travel training session led by Dr. Marc Mancini with more than 1,500 RTAs (referring travel agents) in attendance.

J Kim Sorensen, CEO of YTB Travel Network, said: "The Funshine Travel Trade Shows have consistently grown in popularity as our RTAs take advantage of the opportunity to grow in their knowledge of suppliers, sales skills and destination knowledge."

Travel vendors such as Carnival Cruise Lines, Trafalgar Tours, Funjet Vacations, and Princess Cruise Lines presented training seminars for the attending RTAs. Cruise Line International Association participated by providing an educational session on their programmes.

Last month California Attorney General Edmund Brown filed a lawsuit to shut down the travel website, with a statement on the State of California's Office of the Attorney General webpage by Mr. Brown alleging that YTB operated a "gigantic pyramid scheme" that recruited tens of thousands of members with deceptive claims that members could earn huge sums of money through its online travel agencies.

The company operates in Bermuda, the US, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas and Canada. It works by RTAs selling flights, holidays and car rental services, through YTB websites. Former Opposition Leader Wayne Furbert is YTB's leading advocate in Bermuda.