The entire hotel was constructed with 14,000 stones brought from Pokhara. Speaking to Republica, Dewan said that the hotel, instead of being a private property, reflected the identity of the Ilam district and its people through its construction style and service provision. He also urged the local community to help him in ensuring the successful operation of the hotel in the future.
Dewan, who spent 15 years in the British Army, said that the new hotel would increase the flow of tourists to Ilam district. "Though I was living in Pokhara, I had a desire to do something in my own district," he said, adding "Summit Hotel is a result of that dream."
Dewan who sees potential for growth in tourism to the district is positive that the huge initial investment to build the hotel will proves to be a sound one. "Along with natural beauty, proper hospitality is the key to attract foreign tourists and therefore, enhance local tourism," opines Dewan. He informed that Summit Hotel would cater services equivalent to a three-star hotel. "I have invested Rs 100 million on Summit Hotel because I believe that tourists can be attracted if better services are given to them."
Having retired from British Army in 1987, Dewan initially joined Nepali politics. However, he quit to join the hospitality industry in Pokhara. During this time, he became aware that Ilam lacked hotels providing good service to tourists despite having beautiful tea farms, scenic sun shine view and a rich traditional culture.
"This encouraged me to open a well felicitated hotel in Illam," According to him, the hotel will directly give job opportunities to 40 people. "The hotel will basically target tourists visiting areas like Paathivara and Sandakpur.
Though around 330 hotels are registered at Hotel Association of Nepal, Ilam Chapter, a majority of them are not able to provide good services to their visitors.
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