WASHINGTON — Marriott International met Wall Street's lowered expectations for fourth-quarter profit, but in another sign that the industry's boom times are ending, the company slashed its outlook for growth this year as concerns mount that the slumping economy is slowing down leisure travel.

The hotel chain said yesterday that revenue per available room — a key measure of the industry's strength — would grow 3 percent to 5 percent in 2008, down from the 5 percent to 7 percent the company had been forecasting. Earnings per share projections came in at $2 to $2.10 for the year, down from the previous estimate of $2.10 to $2.25.

For the fourth quarter, Marriott's profit was $176 million (46 cents) on $4.09 billion in revenue. It had a profit of $220 million (52 cents) on revenue of $3.8 billion in the corresponding period a year earlier. Excluding a $60 million loss from ending its synthetic fuel business, Marriott had a profit of 62 cents per share, in line with Wall Street's expectations.

Profit for the year was $696 million, up from $608 million the previous year. Revenue grew 8 percent, to $12.99 billion.

Marriott's tamped-down 2008 forecast comes as the company, in suburban Bethesda, Md., suspects a slowdown is under way for leisure travelers.

Arne Sorenson, the chief financial officer, told analysts during a conference call that December and January bookings at suburban and airport Marriotts, as well as its limited-service brands, were weak. Although those months are often slow, the data cannot be ignored.

Marriott shares finished up 22 cents, at $35.12, yesterday.