The Americas region recorded positive results in the three key performance metrics when reported in U.S. dollars for year-end 2010 and December 2010, according to data compiled by STR and STR Global. The Americas region ended the year with a 5.6 percent increase in occupancy to 57.8 percent, average daily rate finished virtually flat with a 0.6 percent increase to $100.32, and revenue per available room was up 6.2 percent for the year to $57.99.

Caribbean tourism industry officials and travelers alike are responding positively to the value proposition offered by Choice Hotels International, Inc.’s nine Caribbean hotels in today’s price sensitive market.

Jamaica will issue three casino operators’ licenses within the next two years, including at least one before the end of 2011, according to Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s tourism minister.

Delta Air Lines reported a quarterly profit of $19 million, compared to a loss of $25 million at the same time last year, and an annual profit of $593 million. The results were among the best in Delta’s history, according to Richard Anderson, Delta’s chief executive officer. He said they reflect the success of Delta’s merger with Northwest Airlines as well as the carrier’s focus on cost discipline and debt reduction.

FareCompare, the airfare monitoring web site, has reported the third domestic airfare hike in the past month and the first of the year. Domestic airfares have been increased between $4 and $10 roundtrip ($2 and $5 one way) based on flight distance.

American Airlines has won a court restraining order that temporarily blocks Sabre’s move to drop the carrier’s fares on Sabre displays. American said in its filing that Sabre’s move “violates agreements between American and Sabre and harms American, the travel agent community, and the traveling public.”