Mövenpick Hotels & Resort has announced the internal promotion of Alan O’Dea to the role of senior vice president for Africa.

O’Dea replaces Roger Kacou who has been appointed minister of tourism of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire.

Irish-born, O’Dea, who also becomes a member of the company’s executive committee, will initially focus on consolidating the business of the upscale hospitality company in North Africa as well as exploring new hotel development opportunities across the continent.

“There is great potential for Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts in West and East Africa, particularly in countries such as Kenya, Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Senegal,” he said.

“Our first hotel in Accra, Ghana, opened in 2011 and has proved to be hugely successful. I aim to build on this success in other African countries.”

O’Dea brings plenty of African experience to his role.

From 2010 to 2012 he was vice president revenue strategy and development for Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, playing a key role in the signing and opening of ten hotels and Nile cruisers across the continent.

During this time O’Dea travelled Africa extensively, forging strong relationships with investors and hotel owners.

His fluent French proved particularly popular in Africa’s Francophile countries.