I do not see how Hyatt would start Maui with this news about Starwood.
Starwood profits fall on lower Hawaii timeshare demand
Pacific Business News (Honolulu)
Starwood Hotels & Resorts revenue fell 5 percent in the third quarter and the company blamed slowing timeshare sales in Hawaii and Florida.
Revenue for vacation ownership was down 27.4 percent to $183 million, compared to 2007. The company said contract sales of vacation ownership intervals decreased nearly 30 percent mostly due to the sellout of the company’s Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort North on Maui and an overall decline in demand.
The company said it did not sell any vacation ownership receivables during the quarter, from which it had previously anticipated a gain of $10 million to $15 million.
Starwood said it expects operating income from its timeshare business to drop as much as $115 million this year as demand in Hawaii and Orlando, Fla. slows.
The White Plains, N.Y.-based company (NYSE: HOT) reported profits of $113 million for the quarter, compared to $129 million during the same period last year.
Revenue was 5 percent lower, totaling $575 million, down from $605 million during the third quarter 2007.
The company operates 12 properties in Hawaii.