BUSINESS BRIEFS
U.S. Hotels' room revenue up 4.5%
Advertiser Staff and News reports
U.S. Hotels' revenue per available room rose 4.5 percent in the week ended Feb. 2 from the same period a year earlier, according to Smith Travel Research.
The firm reported revenue per available room was $59.39 compared to $56.83 a year earlier.
It said the average daily room rate was $107.92. A year earlier it was $103.08.
JAL POSTS PROFIT FOR 3RD QUARTER
Japan Airlines Corp., Asia's largest carrier, posted a third-quarter profit as it cut personnel costs and won international passengers on overseas routes.
The airline last week reported net income of $121.94 million in the three months ended Dec. 31. Sales were down 4.4 percent to $5.47 billion.
The company said international passenger revenue rose as it added flights to China and increased frequency to the U.S. to take advantage of business demand.
FIRM WILL PROVIDE NCL SPA SERVICES
Steiner Leisure Ltd., a provider of spa services, said it has entered into an agreement with NCL America Inc. to provide for massage, hairdressing, beauty and fitness services on the cruise line's interisland voyages in Hawai'i. The agreement is through September 2011.
VESDIA HIRED BY HAWAIIAN AIRLINES
Vesdia Corp., a provider of loyalty marketing services, said it's entered a multiyear service agreement for Hawaiian Airlines' frequent flier program. Under it, Vesdia will manage and expand the HawaiianMiles merchant-funded reward program to offer members more opportunities to earn HawaiianMiles when they purchase goods and services.
SAM ZELL BUYS BIG STAKE IN STARWOOD
A unit of billionaire investor Sam Zell's Equity Group Investments LLC reported last week that it holds 14.8 million shares, or 7.7 percent, of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, giving Zell the second-biggest stake in the company.
Starwood is the third-largest hotel company and owns a number of chains, including Sheraton and Westin.
"We are delighted," Starwood Chief Financial Officer Vasant Prabhu said. "Sam Zell is one of the world's greatest value investors, and we of course agree with him that Starwood is a compelling value."
