Pawan Kumar Upadhyay, GM of SureStay by Best Western Model Town Amritsar, Nominated for India’s 50 Best General Managers 2026

Pawan Kumar Upadhyay, General Manager of SureStay by Best Western Model Town Amritsar in Punjab, has been nominated for India’s 50 Best General Managers 2026, recognising his leadership in hotel operations, sales management and guest service delivery, according to details released during the nomination process in April 2026.

Nomination and Current Role

The nomination acknowledges Upadhyay’s current role as General Manager at SureStay by Best Western Model Town Amritsar, where he has been serving since June 2025. The property operates under Best Western Hotels & Resorts in Amritsar, Punjab.

According to the company, he oversees overall hotel operations, including service delivery, departmental coordination and financial performance.

Operational Responsibilities and Scope

Upadhyay is responsible for conducting daily operational meetings with department heads to review performance and staff development. His role includes managing guest feedback systems, coordinating across departments and ensuring service standards are maintained.

The company said he also handles daily sales calls, revenue tracking, inventory management and business reporting, including monthly sales summaries and operational reviews.

Sales Strategy and Business Performance

He is responsible for driving revenue growth through direct sales initiatives, maintaining business-on-books reports and implementing strategies to increase occupancy and banquet sales. His duties include managing event operations and aligning staffing based on occupancy levels.

He also oversees guest engagement processes to improve satisfaction levels and repeat business, while ensuring optimal use of operational resources.

Career Background and Industry Experience

Upadhyay has over 18 years of experience in the hospitality industry, with leadership roles across Best Western Hotels & Resorts, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and independent hospitality groups. Prior to his current role, he served as General Manager at Days Hotel by Wyndham Jalandhar from July 2024 to May 2025.

He also worked as General Manager and Operations Manager with Vivo Hotels – Best Western Jalandhar and Kapurthala between May 2018 and July 2024.

Earlier Roles and Professional Development

Earlier in his career, Upadhyay held leadership positions including General Manager at The BrewMaster Bangalore and Deputy General Manager at UNA Hotels Zirakpur. He also worked with Kingdom of Dreams Gurgaon, Radisson MBD Hotel Noida and Grand Hyatt New Delhi in operational roles.

He holds a Master’s degree in Hotel Management from Uttarakhand Open University and a diploma in hotel management from the Government Institute of Hotel Management Dehradun, the company said.

The India’s 50 Best General Managers 2026, organised by Hospitality Career Profile, is currently in the nomination phase, with candidates being evaluated on operational performance, leadership and industry experience. The process is ongoing.