Travel Trends
Video platform Kick investigated over streamer’s death
French prosecutors have opened an investigation into the Australian video platform Kick over the death of a content creator during a live stream.
Raphaël Graven – also known as Jean Pormanove – was found dead in a residence near the city of Nice last week.
He was known for videos in which he endured apparent violence and humiliation.
The Paris prosecutor said the investigation would look into whether Kick knowingly broadcast “videos of deliberate attacks on personal integrity”.
A spokesperson from Kick said the firm was aware of the investigation and was taking legal advice.
“We remain fully committed to cooperating with the relevant authorities with any ongoing investigation,” they added.
The prosecutor’s investigation will also seek to determine whether Kick complied with the European Union’s Digital Services Act, and the obligation on platforms to notify the authorities if the life or safety of individuals is in question.
In a separate announcement, France’s minister for digital affairs, Clara Chappaz, said the government would sue the platform for “negligence” over its failure to block “dangerous content”, according to the AFP news agency.
Mr Graven was found dead on 18 August.
Local media reported the 46-year-old had been subject to bouts of violence and sleep deprivation during streams, and died in his sleep during a live broadcast.
In a post on X the next day Chappaz, described his death as an “absolute horror”, and said he had been humiliated and mistreated on the platform for months.
A postmortem carried out later that week revealed Mr Graven’s death was not the result of trauma or the actions of a third party.
Local police have seized videos and interviewed a number of people they say were present when he died.
They also disclosed Mr Graven had previously been spoken to by detectives and had “firmly denied” being a victim of violence, saying the acts he was involved in were staged to “create a buzz” and make money.
Kick is a platform similar to Twitch, and users can broadcast content and interact with other users in real time.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Jean Pormanove and extend our condolences to his family, friends and community,” said Kick in a previous statement.
The platform’s community guidelines were “designed to protect creators” and Kick was “committed to upholding these standards across our platform”, its spokesperson added.
INDIA, August 28, 2025: For Indian travellers, holidays are no longer just an escape but a source of joy, wellbeing and renewal. With 66%* seeking travel to boost their mood and 58%* opting for short domestic trips this year followed by short international trips (36%*), From perennial regional favourites to short-haul getaways, Booking.com’s latest search trendsspotlights where Indian travellers were dreaming of jetting off to in H1 2025.
Santosh Kumar, Regional Manager, South Asia at Booking.com said, “The evolving mindset of Indian travellers highlights a fascinating mix of global curiosity and local pride. Whether it’s a short-haul international break closer to home or a quick domestic escape, we’re seeing Indians choose destinations that align with their lifestyle aspirations, wellness goals and cultural curiosity. This shift underlines the opportunity ahead, with 84% of Indian travellers feeling optimistic about travel in 2025, we at Booking.com remain committed to supporting this momentum by making it easier for travellers to book every element of their journey, from stays and flights to attractions and transport, all in one seamless experience.”
From Cities to Countryside: Where Indians Were Headed
Bengaluru, Mumbai and New Delhi lead the list of most-searched domestic destinations driven by a combination of business travel, visiting friends and family and the increasing desire for quick, accessible weekend getaways. Beyond urban centers, the data highlights a growing interest in India’s leisure hotspots. Destinations such as Ooty, Rishikesh, Lonavala, Jaipur and Puducherry continue to be popular, with Rishikesh and Puducherry showing a 25%** y-o-y growth in accommodation searches with a rising interest among travellers in experiences centered on wellness, nature and cultural immersion.
Top searched domestic destinations on Booking.com by Indian travellersbetween Jan 1 2025 – Jun 30 2025 for stay dates Jan 1 2025 – Jun 30 2025 (H1 2025)**
- Bengaluru
- Mumbai
- New Delhi
- Ooty
- Rishikesh
- Chennai
- Lonavala
- Hyderabad
- Jaipur
- Puducherry
APAC Hotspots Continue to Attract Indian Travellers
On the international front, Dubai takes the top spot as the most-searched destination for Indian travellers, with a 62%** y-o-y increase in searches. Tokyo has emerged among the top 5 most searched international destinations, witnessing a 90%** rise in accommodation search during the first half of the year, driven by its unique blend of seasonal attractions and rich cultural experiences. Intra-regional travel within Asia-Pacific is also seeing steady momentum with 8 out of the 10 top searched destinations within the region. Destinations like Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Phuket and Bali all rank among the list, highlighting the enduring appeal of short-haul, culturally rich and visa-friendly getaways.
Top searched international destinations on Booking.com by Indian travellersbetween Jan 1 2025 – Jun 30 2025 for stay dates Jan 1 2025 – Jun 30 2025 (H1 2025)**
- Dubai
- Singapore
- Bangkok
- London
- Tokyo
- Paris
- Kuala Lumpur
- Phuket
- Bali
- Abu Dhabi
The Broader APAC Context
Indian travel patterns align with a broader regional trend of balancing local getaways with international adventures in H1 2025.***
●Japan remains top of mind for travellers across APAC, attracting strong interest both internationally and domestically. South Korea and Thailand follow closely, continuing to be among the region’s most sought-after destinations.
●Intra-regional travel is on the rise reflecting a balance between local pride and international curiosity. Even as APAC travellers explore regional options, homegrown destinations such as Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City, Sydney and Tokyo hold the top spots in their respective markets.
●The data further underscores APAC’s persistent appetite for intra-regional travel. All but one of the top ten most searched destinations per market were located within APAC – the exceptions being London and Paris, which broke into India’s and Hong Kong’s list. For most, proximity, cultural familiarity and convenience continued to shape travel decisions.
HRI Hospitality announced three new appointments:
Tammy Wade has been appointed Director of Sales & Marketing at both Hyatt Place Indianapolis and Hyatt House Indianapolis. With 30+ years of experience in hospitality sales and business, Tammy brings strong marketing strategies, project management tactics, established relationships and strategic thinking/negotiation [CS1] skills to her new role at Hyatt Place & Hyatt House Indianapolis. Wade joins the team from Hospitality Ventures Management Group where she advanced through multiple sales roles to become the Area Director of Sales Marketing. Prior to that, Wade spent six years as the Senior Sales Manager at Hilton Worldwide. With such vast experience, Wade is perfectly poised to elevate guest experiences at both properties.
Alexandra Cocco has been appointed Director of Sales & Marketing at Hilton New Orleans St. Charles Avenue. With 13+ years of hospitality sales experience in New Orleans, Alexandra is highly skilled and tactical throughout all aspects of maximizing revenue and has well-established herself within the local market. Cocco joins Hilton New Orleans St. Charles Avenue from Sage Hospitality Group where she held the role of Director of Sales & Marketing. Prior to that, she served as Sales Manager roles across various local properties including Hilton New Orleans Riverside, Embassy Suites by Hilton and Hotel Indigo.
Marissa Watson has been appointed Director of Sales & Marketing at The Industrialist Hotel. With nearly a decade of experience in hotel and hospitality management, Marissa is a leader in creating, leading and inspiring teams. Watson joins The Industrialist Hotel from SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Pittsburgh where she spent time as Director of Sales & Marketing before being promoted to Operations Manager. Prior to that, Watson gained experience as General Manager at the Holiday Inn Express in Butler, PA and Assistant General Manager at the Hampton Inn & Suites/Holiday Inn Express in Cranberry Township, PA. With this experience, Watson is perfectly positioned to drive revenue, manage key relationships, and identify new target markets as Director of Sales & Marketing at The Industrialist Hotel.
The article HRI Hospitality hires three new Directors of Sales & Marketing first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.
LONDON, UK – The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) announce that Millat Group has joined its Executive Committee, becoming the first South African private equity firm to take a seat on the Council’s highest governing body, comprised of leaders from across the global Travel & Tourism sector.
Founded in 2016, Millat Group has rapidly established itself as a driving force in African hospitality. The Group is best known for reintroducing the Hyatt brand to South Africa and today is the continent’s largest owner of Hyatt-branded hotels, including Hyatt Regency Cape Town, Hyatt House Sandton, Hyatt House Rosebank, and the recently opened Park Hyatt Johannesburg.
Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “We are proud to welcome Millat Group to our Executive Committee. Their leadership in bringing world-class hospitality brands to South Africa, alongside innovative ventures in food services and retail, highlights their ability to connect investment with real impact. Africa is one of the most exciting growth regions for Travel & Tourism, and Millat’s presence on our Executive Committee will bring invaluable perspectives as we work to expand opportunities, foster sustainability, and amplify the continent’s role in the global tourism economy.”
Behind the group’s growth is Hamza Farooqui, Founder and CEO of Millat Group, whose vision has consistently positioned the company at the forefront of African tourism investment. “It is a privilege for Millat to join the WTTC Executive Committee,” Farooqui said.
“This is not just a milestone for our Group, but also for South Africa. Through this opportunity, we want to advocate for greater institutional capital investment into African tourism and hospitality projects, while showcasing the sector’s potential to deliver both growth and sustainable impact.”
By joining WTTC’s Executive Committee, Millat Group will contribute to shaping the Council’s global agenda, supporting initiatives around sustainability, investment, regional growth, and innovation, while strengthening Africa’s voice within the international Travel & Tourism community.
The article Millat Group joins the Executive Committee of WTTC first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.
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