Projected sales and profit increases for the balance of the fiscal year 2012
Highlights:
The Trust projects an increase in revenue and profits for the balance of Fiscal Year 2012 (February 1, 2011 to January 31, 2012) versus the same period last fiscal year.
The Trust reported earnings before minority interest, interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (Adjusted EBITDA) of $744,000 for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2011, as compared to $1.7 million in the prior year, a decline of $978,000, or 56.8%. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that management believes provides meaningful insight into the Trust's financial performance and its operating profitability before non-operating expenses (such as interest and "other" non-core expenses) and non-cash charges (depreciation and amortization).
The Trust reported revenue of $15.7 million for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2011, a decrease of 7.0% from $16.9 million for the prior year. The decreases in revenues are primarily due to a decrease in occupancy and rates caused by the current difficult economic conditions.
Through January 31, 2011, the Trust has sold approximately 67% of its membership interests in Albuquerque Suite Hospitality, LLC, the subsidiary which owns and operates the Albuquerque, New Mexico hotel property, receiving $2.2 million in cash proceeds. An additional $206,000 is due on membership subscriptions in the first half of fiscal year 2012. Rare Earth Financial, LLC, an affiliate of the Trust's President and CEO James Wirth, purchased $400,000 of the amount sold and received $320,000 of equity as a formation fee, representing approximately a 19.3% interest in the subsidiary.
These transactions were a reduction in the Partnership's controlling interest, and therefore no gain or loss was reflected in the statements of operations and funds received in excess of cost basis were recorded to equity. These transactions resulted in an increase in equity of $2.2 million.
The Trust began selling membership interests in the subsidiary which owns and operates the Tucson Foothills, Arizona hotel property in April 2011, through private placements to accredited investors. The offering has received strong interest with Investors interested in $1.6 million of units as of this date.
FUTURE POSITIONING
For the current fiscal year 2012, InnSuites projects a moderate improvement to the difficult economic environment, with an increase in both revenue and gross operating profits (GOP) for the balance of fiscal year 2012 based on trends and advanced bookings. The Trust plans to focus on improved sales efficiency and effective cost controls. Although the travel and hospitality industries are down worldwide, InnSuites is experiencing strength relative to the rest of the industry by continuing to refurbish its hotels with large flat screen HDTVs, increased boutique fashion trends, as well as increased internet marketing as more and more travelers move to the value-oriented InnSuites Suite Hotels and value suite concept "By the day and extended stay."
Our long-term strategic plan is to obtain the full benefit of our real estate equity and to migrate our focus from a hotel owner to a hospitality service company by expanding our trademark license, management, reservation and advertising services. This plan is similar to strategies followed by international diversified hotel industry leaders, which over the last several years have reduced real estate holdings and concentrated on hospitality services.
Logos, product and company names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.