Renowned British supermodel, actress and singer Naomi Campbell is in Malindi, Kilifi county, for a working holiday.

Campbel, 48, arrived on Friday and is reportedly doing photo shoots for an international magazine.

The supermodel, who is the former girlfriend of Italian billionaire Flavio Briatore, is with a team of over 13 other people who are doing the shooting.

Since she arrived, Naomi has been keeping a low profile, concentrating on the photo shoot.

The supermodel is staying at Lion in the Sun beach resort owned by the Italian billionaire.

Reports indicate that she has been to Sabaki River Mouth and Che Shale.

Journalists have not been able to meet her, after the management said she did not want to give an interview or be photographed.

However, her visit is a major boost to the tourism sector, which has lately been plagued by the abduction last Tuesday of Italian aid worker Silvia Romano in Chakama, Kilifi county.

Five people were also shot and sustained serious injuries but are currently out of danger.

Tourism players in Malindi are not worried about the incident, despite the cancellations it has caused.

Recruited at the age of 15, Naomi established herself amongst the most recognisable and in-demand models of the late 1980s and the 90s.

She was one of six models of her generation declared supermodels by the fashion industry and the international press.

Meanwhile, a number of activities, including the Koroga Masala Festival, have been lined up to promote tourism in Malindi.

The festival that is held once every three months attracts hundreds of local and international tourists.

Kathy Bisset, an American married to a Kenyan, said Romano's abduction is an isolated case. She is praying that the Italian aid worker comes back alive and safe.

Bisset, who has been in Malindi since 1984, said people should not fear travelling to Malindi. She said her family members will be coming to celebrate the holidays in Malindi.

"If it wasn’t safe I wouldn’t bring them here. There are people who are writing an inquiring if it is safe," she said.

"We have no warnings from our embassy about not coming to Malindi."

Edward Aniere, a director of Bare Foot Beach Camp near Che Shale, which organises the Koroga festival, said the event brings together hotels to showcase food varieties.

Aniere who is a Kenyan of British origin said Romano's abduction is an unfortunate incident.

"There is going to be a repercussion. We are strong in Malindi and we believe in what we do here," he said.

Aniere said for years he has lived in Malindi, they work together as a community.

"We are all connected in one way or the other, not necessarily be in the hotel business. There are other businesses in Malindi. We do not give up, we try to make Malindi great," he said.

Suheil Bakhrani from 7 to 7 supermarkets in Malindi has competed in the Koroga festival.

"It's not only a competition, but a family gathering. We prepared the oldest ethnic Indian spices and nyama kima curry," he said.

Maureen Obunga, the general manager of Ocean Beach Resort and Spa, said the Koroga festival also brings together hoteliers from Malindi to share, enjoy and interact.