Tulshi Naik, GM of Hilton Garden Inn Surat City Centre, Nominated for India’s 50 Best General Managers 2026

Tulshi Naik, General Manager of Hilton Garden Inn Surat City Centre in Gujarat, has been nominated for India’s 50 Best General Managers 2026, recognising his leadership in pre-opening execution, operational stabilisation and commercial performance. The nomination was announced in April 2026 as part of the ongoing evaluation process by Hospitality Career Profile.

Nomination and Current Role

The nomination acknowledges Naik’s current role as General Manager at Hilton Garden Inn Surat City Centre, where he has been serving since September 2024. The property operates under Hilton in Surat, Gujarat, and caters to business and leisure segments.

According to the company, he is responsible for overseeing overall hotel operations, including financial performance, guest service delivery and departmental coordination.

Pre-Opening Leadership and Operational Setup

Naik led the hotel through its pre-opening phase and first year of operations, establishing operational readiness, recruitment processes and service standards from launch. He worked with ownership and brand stakeholders to align execution and operational frameworks.

The company said the hotel achieved break-even within the first month of operations and reached a gross operating profit of 45% by December, supported by structured planning and execution.

Operational Responsibilities and Business Performance

Naik is responsible for managing budgeting, forecasting and profit and loss performance, while ensuring operational efficiency across all departments. His role includes supervising rooms division, food and beverage operations and large-scale banquet functions.

He also monitors key performance indicators, including revenue growth, guest satisfaction and audit compliance, while implementing cost control measures and commercial strategies to maintain market positioning.

Career Background and Industry Experience

Naik has over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, with leadership roles across Hilton, Accor and Marriott properties in India and the United Kingdom. Prior to his current role, he served as Director of Operations at Novotel Goa Dona Sylvia Resort in 2024.

He also worked as Operations Manager at ibis Bangalore City Centre, where he delivered year-on-year growth across revenue and profitability metrics, and as Director of Food and Beverage at Novotel Hyderabad Airport, managing large-scale operations and events.

Professional Achievements and Early Career

According to available records, Naik has managed high-volume food and beverage operations, including annual turnover exceeding INR 27 crore, and led banquet events for more than 2,000 guests. He has also contributed to employee engagement improvements and audit compliance across properties.

His earlier career includes roles with Marriott International in the United Kingdom, where he handled conference and banqueting operations and improved team engagement metrics. He holds a Master’s degree in Hospitality with Tourism Management from the University of Birmingham.

The India’s 50 Best General Managers 2026 awards, organised by Hospitality Career Profile, are currently in the nomination phase, with candidates under evaluation based on operational performance and leadership. The process is ongoing.