SAN DIEGO (Border Report) — This weekend’s Rosarito Beach Music Festival is set to receive about 25,000 fans for the three-day event, fewer people than in past years, according to Leonardo Verdugo, Secretary of the Economy and Tourism in Rosarito.
“For this edition we expect about 25,000 visitors, other years we usually get close to 30,000,” said Verdugo. “The biggest indicator of a smaller turn out this year is the number of vacancies at area hotels.
He blames ongoing security concerns and an economic recession in the region for the predicted reduced crowds.
“Occupancy right now is running at 85 percent, but we’re hoping to get to 100 percent.”
According to Verdugo, more transportation hubs for Uber and Didi are being made available to help people get to and from the beach venue.
Street vendors like Juan Silva told the El Sol Newspaper of Tijuana that in spite of projections, he expects to break even.
“At 70 percent attendance I can cover all my debts, I urge others to come by, Rosarito is a safe place to plan a vacation,” said Silva. “I would say come down, Rosarito has changed a lot, our police department is new, we’re here to take care of people and protect them.”
Silva was referring to the city’s police department, which is notorious for preying on visitors seeking bribes and other compensation.
The city of Rosarito says it will deploy many of its officers and other security personnel around the region to maintain order on the streets to insure public safety for visitors and residents alike.
The festival runs from Friday night until Sunday evening.
Some of the artists expected to perform include Natanael Cano, Maluma, Don Omar, J Balvin, Rels B, Danny Ocean, as well other artists.
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