Continuing revenue was up 12 percent from £377 million to £422 million, up 20 percent at constant currency, whilst continuing operating profit was up 5 percent from £106 million to £111 million, up 17 percent at constant currency according to the first half results to 30 June 2007 released by InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG).

Brazilian aircraft maker Embraer said on Wednesday second-quarter profit dropped 49 percent because of a surge in costs as it ramped up production of regional jets. Net income fell to $40.13 million from the year-earlier period.

Equity Inns, Inc., the third largest hotel real estate investment trust, has announced that it signed an agreement to acquire a portfolio of eight hotels, with a total of 742-rooms, from InterMountain Management, LLC for approximately $90.5 million, or $122,000 per key.

Norwegian Cruise Line reported its second quarter results on Wednesday, and while the numbers were better than last year’s, the cruise line still lost a net total of $24.6 million. At the same time last year, the line reported net losses of $35.1 million.

The Danish-based tour operator Falk Lauritsen Rejser A/S has been acquired by the Kuoni Group with immediate effect as the company stated. The Falk Lauritsen Rejser specializes in travel to Mediterranean and Caribbean destinations, for which it is excellently established in the Danish market.

The European hotel investment market has proved that it is as strong as ever with transaction volumes reaching 9 billion euros at the half year mark, compared to 9.3 billion euros in the first half of 2006 according to a new study by Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels.