SINDHULI, Oct 31: Until a few years ago, tourists used to find it hard to get a moderate hotel to stay in Mulkot. Now, Mulkot offers around a dozen of standard hotels thanks to the link with the BP Highway. In fact, some more are also being constructed. According to Dirbu Singh Moktan, chairperson of Sunkoshi Rural Municipality, where Mulkot lies, investment for hotels in Mulkot is remarkable.
"This is exciting. Dozens of new hotels have opened up, some more are under construction," Moktan said. "This area has become a hub of hotels."
Moktan assumes that around 60 percent of the hotels in Mulkot are quite good and are doing great business. Even small eateries attract consumers.
Entrepreneurs say lack of connectivity has reduced business
Mulkot leads to Okhaldunga, Solukhumbu, Khotang, Halesi, Bhojpur and Sankhuwasabha. The BP Highway, which is connected to the Mid-hill Highway, brings enough visitors to this location, according to Moktan.
Not just Mulkot, hotels are mushrooming in other areas along the roadside, says Sitaram Pahadi, general secretary of Sindhuli Hotel Entrepreneurs' Association.
"Lots of new hotels are seen in Mulkot. Khurkot has also drawn enough investment in the hotel sector. But there are many other areas along the highway where hotel business is thriving," he said.
Pahadi stated that hundreds of new hotels and resorts have opened between Sindhulimadhi and Nepalthok. Majhitar, Bhiman, Dhungrebas, Bhadrakali, Khaniyakharka, Khalte, Ramtar, Mulkot, Khurkot, Ramtar and Ratamata, among other areas have seen massive changes due to the road connectivity, he noted.
"Prices of land have gone up due to the access to road. People are massively investing in hotels and restaurants. The connection with the Mid-hill Highway and the BP Highway have impacted people's life and economy," remarked a local of Sunkoshi Rural Municipality, Min Shrestha. "The hotels get crowded with domestic and international tourists," he added.
Another local of the same rural municipality Manoj Shrestha stated that there must be over 40 expensive hotels and restaurants in Mulkot alone. "Because Mulkot alone could not cater to the needs of the ever rising number of tourists, hotels have emerged in other areas as well," he said. "Thousands of people travel through this way every day. Many of them are tourists," he added.
