Vail Resorts F4Q09 (Qtr End 7/31/09) Earnings Call Transcript

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2009-09-24 13:22:06.0

Tags: Financial, Deutsche Bank AG, Call Transcript, Earnings, Booking Window, Obviously Booking, Mergers & Acquisitions, Financial Accounting, Corporate Law, Investment, Finance, Business Operations, Seeking Alpha, Vail Resorts Inc.

Question-and-Answer Session

Operator

(Operator Instructions) Our first question comes from the line of Chris Woronka with Deutsche Bank.

Chris Woronka - Deutsche Bank

I noticed you didn’t disclose the hotel booking statistics this time as you did last year and I understand that booking windows have shortened and that the pre-season sales are only about 15% to 20% but can you maybe talk directionally about it and what you are seeing, what you are doing on rate versus kind of rebuilding occupancy?

Robert A. Katz

Sure. First of all, no, we definitely made a conscious decision not to talk about it. I think that’s because we are not really that focused on it. I think the -- obviously I think we were already seeing a shortening of the booking window last year. I think that when you combine the fact that this time last year was before the real impacts had hit from the financial dislocation. I think we just felt like it’s just not a trend that’s material. Obviously bookings are down overall. We think that the December earnings call will be a better time to start updating and talking about that. At that point, we’ll have some comparable statistics to periods after the financial crisis of last year. And given the shorter booking windows, probably some more meaningful numbers.

In terms of rate and occupancy, what I would say is we are really looking at a comprehensive strategy. We don’t kind of go with a focus on one or the other. We are really looking to maximize lodging revenue but at the same time maximizing overall resort revenue. And that just depends upon the individual package, promotion time of year, overall occupancy levels and many other factors. But it’s something that we are highly focused on.

Chris Woronka - Deutsche Bank

Okay, fair enough -- and just to switch gears for a second, on the acquisition front, I know you won't be able to say a lot specifically but is it your sense that there is a better chance this year that an opportunity comes along as we are hearing about now certain levels of distress across the industry and -- what is kind of your number one criteria when you think about potential acquisition?

Robert A. Katz

Well, you’re right -- I am not going to comment on that, I’m not going to comment on it for this year either. I certainly can comment on our criteria. I think we are looking for properties or businesses that we feel allow us an opportunity to leverage our existing strengths and so that there’s a reason why we can add value to whatever it is that we would buy. I think that the key thing for us is discipline. I think that’s something obviously that has paid off in spades over the last year and we don’t intend to walk away from that discipline.

 

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