Healthy Living and Sustainable Lifestyle group Nature & Kind has launched the UK’s first travel collection in the emerging Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability (LOHAS) market, targeting discerning travelers who want to plan, compare and book accommodations and experiential travel experiences closely aligned with their personal values of health and sustainability.

XaraguaR, a Canadian Trade-Mark operated by Xaragua Enterprise Corporation launched Interac Online on its website http://www.xaragua.com/ this January 2008 after a successful integration to its current list of payment options because of increasing demand from its Canadian customers to provide a readily available payment method that are safer, familiar, and reliable as an alternative to Paypal a widely used e-commerce payment method.

Victor Gomez was named general manager of Casa Dorada Los Cabos, Resort & Spa in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, scheduled to open January 2008. In his position, Mr. Gomez will be responsible for all the day-to-day operations of the 186-room resort.

Star Clippers scrapped the 5 percent commission it was currently paying on the airfare portion of bookings for all reservations made after December 31. The tall ship cruise line said that “changing market forces” led it to follow “recent trends in the industry.”

Barron Hilton said he will donate $1.2 billion of his proceeds from the sale of Hilton Hotels Corp. and Harrah’s Entertainment to the charity his father created. In addition, he said he intends to give the foundation 97 percent of his fortune -estimated today at $2.3 billion- when he dies.

Paul Howard has been named the new Director of Hospitality Industry Relations in the Penn State School of Hospitality Management, starting January 1, 2008 according to Hubert B. Van Hoof, Director and Professor, School of Hospitality Management, Penn State University.