Starwood Hotels and Resorts reported a 28 percent increase in second-quarter profit, thanks to a $90 million tax benefit. But the company reported a 23 percent drop in revenue on what CEO Frits van Paasschen described as “the most challenging RevPAR environment the industry has ever faced.”
Cunard achieved record bookings when its 2011 World Voyage program for Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth went on sale July 1. Sales were up by more than 150 percent compared with the first day on sale of the 2010 World Voyage program last year. Queen Elizabeth, whose keel was laid in Trieste on July 2, will make its maiden World Voyage in 2011.
Air Canada provided the following comment in response to receiving confirmation from the IAMAW that its members have ratified their tentative agreements on labor stability and pension funding relief. This successfully concludes the ratification process by all five of Air Canada’s Canadian-based unions:
Norwegian Cruise Line is realigning its North American sales team in an effort to provide enhanced and more effective customer service to its travel partners. Reporting to Andy Stuart, executive vice president-global sales and passenger services, this newly structured sales force is led by Camille Olivere, vice president of sales.
Accor announced that, for the first half of 2009, consolidated revenue totaled 3.41 billion euros, down 9.3 percent on a reported basis and 8.1 percent like-for-like over first-half 2008.
The Mustique Company forged a partnership with Grenadine Airways which will provide direct flights in and out of Mustique, exclusively for villa owners and guests of the island.