Zurich (Switzerland), 6 February 2013 ? M?venpick Hotels & Resort is delighted to announce 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 C?te 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.
[quote]?There is great potential for M?venpick 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.?[/quote]
Alan O?Dea certainly brings plenty of African experience to his role. From 2010 to 2012 he was Vice President Revenue Strategy and Development for M?venpick 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.
[quote]?Alan is a talented young man who brings a wealth of experience to his new role. I am delighted to welcome him to the Executive Committee as Senior Vice President for Africa,? said Jean Gabriel P?r?s, President and CEO of M?venpick Hotels & Resorts.[/quote]
As a company we have built a strong reputation for recognising and nurturing talent as well as promoting from within. Alan?s appointment illustrates this philosophy perfectly.
Prior to joining M?venpick Hotels & Resorts in 2005 as the company?s Vice President Revenue Management, O?Dea was Regional Director of Revenue Management for InterContinental Hotels Group in France and Director of Revenue Management in Paris.
O?Dea began working in the hotel industry in 1996 as a Front Office Manager after graduating from Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology in Ireland with a BA Degree in Hotel and Catering Management.
Born in the Irish County of Mayo, he remains passionate about sports particularly rugby and Gaelic football, which he played for many years. He is also an enthusiastic cook.
?One of the great benefits of working in diverse African countries has been the opportunity to expand my culinary repertoire,? he said smilingly.