February 22, 2012 - 01:30 PM ET

Accor's overall average room rates rose during the past three months, but stalled in January at its midprice and upscale hotels. Those rates for the European hotel operator increased by 3.7 percent year over year in November and by 1.2 percent in December, but were nearly flat in January. Accor reported the figures represent "stable occupancy at a high level and versus high comps" and that there is "no major sign of concern and strong catalysts for growth in many key markets." Accor's 2011 operating profit was up almost 19 percent year over year. Net income was €27 million, down from €3.6 billion in 2010, though the comparison is skewed because of a €4 billion gain in 2010 when Accor broke off its services business.

February 22, 2012 - 11:55 AM ET

The average daily rate at Choice Hotels International properties increased by 2.7 percent year over year during the fourth quarter of 2011. Average rates during the quarter were up at least 2 percent at all Choice brands except Clarion and Econo Lodge, which increased by less, and the Ascend Collection, where rates decreased by 4.3 percent. Occupancy increased by 2.6 percentage points to 54.2 percent and was up across all Choice brands. Net income for the quarter was $24.8 million, up 3 percent from the prior year.

February 22, 2012 - 10:55 AM ET

Dollar Thrifty reported a $33.9 million fourth-quarter net profit, up from $12.5 million for the last three months of 2010. Despite a 4 percent year-over-year decrease in per-day rental revenue, revenues increased 1 percent during the quarter, thanks to a 5 percent increase in rental days. CEO Scott Thompson this week during the company's earnings call said he expected the "rental rate environment to improve in the first quarter of 2012 versus the fourth quarter of 2011," though he still expected a year-over-year decline in per-day rental revenue during the first three months of the year. Still, the company expects full-year rental revenues in 2012 to grow by up to 5 percent.

February 21, 2012 - 01:35 PM ET

FCm Travel Solutions parent Flight Centre reported 18 percent growth in half-year profits before taxes of A$119.7 million (US$121.8 million) for the period ending Dec. 31, 2011. Australian travel conglomerate Flight Centre reported "strongest growth from Australia, the United Kingdom and Dubai, plus the Canada and U.S. corporate travel businesses," according to managing director Graham Turner. Total transaction value of travel sales across the company's global portfolio increased 9 percent to A$6.2 billion (US$6.3 billion) as the company reported a 4 percent increase in revenues on those sales to A$954.1 million (US$971 million), also compared to the year-ago period. While the company said its U.S. operations generated a A$4 million (US$4.1 million) loss, officials noted that it marked a "52 percent reduction in overall U.S. losses" as compared to a year ago. 

February 16, 2012 - 12:00 PM ET

Hyatt Hotels Corp. reported that "sustained transient business travel" globally helped drive a 2.6 percent year-over-year increase in rates during the fourth quarter of 2011. In North America, rates at full-service properties increased by 2.2 percent during the quarter, and select-service rates increased by 3.5 percent. Outside of North America, rates were up 3.7 percent. Global occupancy increased by 1.5 percentage points to 68.3 percent. Net income for the quarter was $52 million, up from $6 million in the fourth quarter of 2010.

February 16, 2012 - 10:00 AM ET

Avis Budget Group reported a $170 million net loss for the fourth quarter of 2011, compared with a $24 million loss for the same period in 2010. The group's revenue increased 33 percent during the quarter, thanks in large part to the inclusion in year-over-year comparisons of Avis Europe, which Avis Budget acquired in October. Excluding Avis Europe, the group saw rental volume increase 5 percent year over year and pricing decline 2 percent. CFO David Wyshner during an earnings call Thursday said Avis Budget commercial volume during the quarter grew 1 percent year over year, though commercial pricing was down 2 percent, "consistent with the full year." 

February 16, 2012 - 09:20 AM ET

United-Continental and US Airways matched and expanded a $5 one-way price hike initiated by Southwest Airlines in domestic medium- and long-haul markets, according to J.P. Morgan analyst Jamie Baker. "Given Southwest's blessing, a broad, successful industry fare increase appears likely," Baker wrote in a research note, adding that he expected American Airlines and Delta Air Lines to match today and suggesting that short-haul markets also may experience fare increases. According to FareCompare CEO Rick Seaney, the price hike "is the third domestic fare increase attempt of 2012—and the first since mid-January." He added that "in over six years, there has never been a Southwest-initiated hike that was not widely matched."

February 16, 2012 - 09:10 AM ET

Alaska Air Group CEO Bill Ayer will step down May 15 after 10 years at the helm, and will be replaced by company veteran and current president Brad Tilden. Currently chairman of the company, Ayer will remain in that position and participate on the NextGen Advisory Committee to work toward modernizing the nation's air traffic control system.

February 15, 2012 - 09:05 AM ET

Hogg Robinson Group recorded "essentially the same" client spending as the prior year in the October-January period, according to an interim financial statement. HRG noted continued high interest among customers in improved compliance and security monitoring and the growing appeal of end-to-end solutions, meeting and conference management and consolidated service centers. Publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange, the travel management company said it would meet previously disclosed profit expectations. "Client tenders are continuing at a high level and our new business pipeline remains strong," HRG said.

February 14, 2012 - 11:55 AM ET

Rates at InterContinental Hotels Group properties increased year over year by 2.8 percent in the fourth quarter of 2011 and by 2.5 percent for the full year. For the quarter, rates in the Americas increased by 3.7 percent, in Europe by 0.8 percent, in China by 3.9 percent and in Asia, the Middle East and Africa by 3.2 percent. IHG's group operating profit for the quarter was $137 million, up from $110 million in the fourth quarter of 2010.