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Malindi Tourism Pioneer And Planhotel Hospitality Group Founder Franco Rosso Dies At 94

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Franco Rosso
Franco Rosso first came to Kenya in 1967, accompanied by his late wife, Amalia for a month-long vacation in East Africa and decided to invest in Malindi. [Photo/ Courtesy]
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Malindi tourism pioneer and founder of Franco Rosso International  – one of Italy’s leading tour operators – Franco Rosso died on Monday, March 27, 2023, aged 94 in Lugano, Switzerland.

He launched Kenya on the Italian market 50 years ago with the first charter flight from Italy to Nairobi. He first came to Kenya in 1967, accompanied by his late wife, Amalia for a month-long vacation in East Africa and decided to invest in Malindi.  He opened his first hotel Tropical Village on Casuarina beach, followed by Diamonds Dream of Africa and the adjacent Coconut and Malindi beach hotel.  He opened the fourth property, Sandies Malindi Dream Garden in 2018

Today, Diamond Dream of Africa is Africa’s leading all-inclusive resort being awarded in the World Travel Awards in 2021 and 2022 and Africa’s Leading Beach Hotel in 2012.

He leaves three children Sara, Paolo and Alessandro. The funeral ceremony will be held at the Tempio Crematorio di Lugano, Via Trevano at 2:00 pm on Thursday, March 30 followed by the wake at The View Lugano, Via Guidino 29 at 3:00 pm.

In Kenya, a memorial service will be held at 3:00 on Thursday, March 30 at Sandies Tropical Village, Casuarina Road, Malindi.

Read: 3 New Naivas Outlets Set for Nairobi, Malindi

>>> 7 Luxury Hotels Owned by the Kenyatta Family

Written by
BT Reporter -

editor [at] businesstoday.co.ke

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