Watamu investors organise three-day festival to revamp tourism

Investors in the resort town of Watamu, Kilifi county are organising a grand festival on October 7 to revamp a tourism sector hard-hit by the Covid pandemic.

The Seven Islands Festival will be held for the fourth time at Papa Remo beach resort in Watamu.

Nigerian superstar Oxlade together with Kenya's Sauti Soul superstar Bien and other top Kenyan artists will grace the event.

Organisers of the festival said they expect more than 4000 people to attend.

They said they are already recording many bookings from residents and international tourists who are coming in for the holiday.

Ricardo Lenzi the head of the Seven Islands Festival with his partner Francesco Contino said they have lined up a lot of high-end entertainment for tourists who will be coming for the event.

Addressing journalists at the Papa Remo Beach Resort, Lenzi said the festival will run from October 7 to 9 and targets mainly domestic tourists who desire fun on the scenic beach of Watamu.

 “We have organise the festival to try and restore the tourism sector that has been hard-hit by the Covid-19 pandemic and we hope by hosting this event we will attract more Kenyans back to the Coast,” he said.

Contino said they were proud to organise the event and they want to make this year's festival the biggest ever in the region.

He said the sector has suffered for a long time due to the Covid-19 pandemic which has left many hoteliers stressed as many kept off the sandy beaches due to Covid restriction measures.

Contino said it is now time to have a lot of fun and shake off the Covid blues.

"We shall have two main acts for the festival led by international singer and performer Oxlade who had a concert recently in Paris and Kenyan's Sauti Sol band member Bien Aime.  We are very proud to have them,” he said.

Apart from the two, he said they would also have one of the best Vagadips DJs who will perform on Sunday.

He said on Friday they would usher the event with eight DJs including MGM and Redbone among others all of who are from Kenya.

Contino said East African Breweries Limited is one of the sponsors who will be present with their Tusker lite promotion.

He urged all those planning to attend the festival to book their tickets earlier to avoid last minute rush.

"The Seven Islands Festival is special because we are located on one of the best beaches where you will dance on the sand in front of the ocean which has an amazing area,” he said.

He said tickets will go for Sh2,500 on Friday, September 7 and Sh5,000 on Saturday, September 8. But if one buys a double ticket for Friday and Sunday they will only pay Sh6,000.

However, he said those who buy a ticket for Friday or Saturday will be granted free entry to the festival venue on Sunday.

Christina Marian the general manager at Papa Remo urged revelers from Nairobi to visit Watamu and enjoy the festival.

 “When you come you will enjoy the view and the cool breeze so all are welcome to experience this once in a lifetime festival,” she said.

 (Edited by Tabnacha O)