Weak fourth-quarter earnings is spurring Marriott International to cut capital investments and operating costs. The lodging giant posted a $10 million loss from continuing operations, versus a $236-million profit in the same quarter a year earlier. During the quarter, the firm took $192 million in charges relating to business restructuring and writing off of costs associated with discontinued development projects. In addition, rates and RevPAR fell in North America for all brands.

In response to the difficult lodging environment, Marriott plans to cut annual administrative costs by $100 million and reduce investment spending by $400 million. The company has already made adjustments in its ailing timeshare division, closing sales offices, reducing overhead and scaling back development. Marriott plans to add 26,000 new hotel rooms to its system this year, about the same number as in 2008.

The story is similar for Red Lion Hotels, which more than doubled its quarterly loss over the same period last year. The Spokane, WA-based chain of 47 properties posted a loss of $2.6 million, compared to a $1.1-million loss the year earlier. Revenues fell 6.3 percent, and RevPAR declined by 8.3 percent.

The company is also trimming costs through workforce reductions, consolidation of property-level management teams and a five-percent wage cut for salaried employees. The measures will save the company between $10 and $12 million annually. Despite the cuts, Red Lion is beefing up its sales and marketing efforts, particularly toward corporate business, groups, meetings and banquets.

“These are all types of business in our markets that are easier to influence than the transient traveler,” said President & CEO Anupam Narayan. “We expect the steps we take now will put the company in a stronger position when industry demand improves.”