A touching but also meaningful remembrance of Italian entrepreneur Franco Rosso was staged yesterday afternoon at the Malindi Dream Garden, one of the creatures of the visionary pioneer of tourism in Africa (and beyond) who passed away last March 27 in Lugano.
In the presence of the staff of the three Planhotel group facilities, employees and people close to him paid tribute to him, with personal anecdotes and stories. From the historic general manager Bruno Fontana, 25 years at his side, to the current Alexander Zissimatos, to the local staff, with three testifying to how the humanity and wisdom of a great man left an indelible legacy in them.
Freddie del Curatolo recounted the entrepreneur's life as a novel, from his dreams of travel after World War II to his "conquest" of East Africa in 1967 and his bet on the Kenyan coast.
"Franco Rosso is not only an Italian boast," Freddie said, "If today we have a thriving tourism industry on the coast, which has allowed so many compatriots to work and live here, come on vacation and return or settle down, but also thousands and thousands of Kenyans to earn, grow and learn a trade in tourism or its related field, we owe it to him.
At the end of the celebration, all hotel staff and guests, including a large presence of compatriots, formed a procession with white roses in hand, culminating in a prayer by the shore of that Indian ocean so beloved by Mr. Rosso.
Below is a photo gallery of the celebration.