Travel News: Airlines, Tourism and Airfares

Ruby Tuesday, Inc. (NYSE: RT) today announced that same-restaurant sales for Company-owned restaurants were -0.8% to -1.0% in the third quarter ended March 2, 2010, compared to the same quarter of the prior year.

Rick’s Cabaret International, Inc. (NASDAQ: RICK), the nation’s premier operator of upscale gentlemen’s clubs, said sales at its nightclubs in February were $7.65 million, a 34.7 percent increase over sales of $5.58 million in February 2009.

The ninth annual Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival, February 25–28, 2010, was once again a successful and unforgettable extravaganza. More than 50,000 guests attended the four-day event, and over $2 million was raised for the Florida International University (FIU) School of Hospitality and Tourism Management and the Southern Wine & Spirits Beverage Management Center.

Benihana Inc. (NASDAQ: BNHNA; BNHN) today announced that its motion for summary judgment in the pending litigation against it brought by the former minority shareholders of the Company’s Haru operating segment has been granted in all material respects.

Caruso Affiliated CEO and Founder Rick J. Caruso today announced the creation of a new business venture to pursue airport retail opportunities and the appointment of John Cugasi as the company’s first Vice President for Airports to lead the effort. Cugasi served most recently as the Director of Concessions at Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport overseeing the lease management and development of the airport’s concessions program.

Hilton Worldwide’s portfolio of brands was honored across multiple categories in the Business Travel News 2010 U.S. Hotel Chain Survey. In the results that were announced yesterday, Hampton Hotels was honored as the best hotel brand in the Midprice Tier and won an unprecedented 11 of 12 categories out of the individual criterion segments.

W Hotels Worldwide today celebrates the official unveiling of W Barcelona which opened its doors on October 1, 2009.

United Airlines today reported its preliminary consolidated traffic results for February 2010. Total consolidated revenue passenger miles (RPMs) increased in February by 2.1% on a decrease of 5.3% in available seat miles (ASMs) compared with the same period in 2009. This resulted in a reported February consolidated passenger load factor of 78.7%, an increase of 5.7 points compared to 2009.

Inductees to be Announced on June 5 at cruise3sixty in Vancouver

Marriott International Inc., the leading world-wide lodging company, announced the launch of the Courtyard by Marriott, Gurgaon. The launch marks the foray of the 'Courtyard by Marriott' brand into the National Capital Region.