Lower results from its scaled back synthetic fuel business contributed to a 7 percent drop in fourth-quarter income for hotel operator Marriott International Inc., but the company’s earnings still surpassed Wall Street expectations.

Aided by strong cruise pricing, net income at Royal Caribbean Cruises (RCCL) clocked in at $46.6 million for the fourth quarter, but a less than optimistic forecast-partially based on a lackluster wave season so far for Royal Caribbean-has tempered enthusiasm.

Sabre Holdings Corporation posted $655 million revenue for the fourth quarter, up six percent year-over-year. Revenue for full-year 2006 was $2.8 billion, an increase of 12 percent year-over-year.

Hotel investment levels in Europe reached £21.6 billion in 2006 exceeding all expectations; 37.9 percent up on 2005 and more than doubling the deal volume of 2004.

With prices in neighboring islands rising steadily and availability of land to develop becoming scarce, investment hunters should look to the Dominican Republic, according to a leading property investment company in Great Britain. It’s the second largest of the Caribbean Islands and prices are said to be not anywhere near a peak just yet.

Travel agents may soon have more luxury hotel options for clients looking to vacation in Grenada. The small Caribbean island nation is looking to build two new luxury hotels, and, if given the choice, wants to do so with Ritz-Carlton.