Scenic Hotel Group, a respected leader in New Zealand’s hospitality industry for over four decades, is proud to share its Toitū carbonreduce certification as part of a broader commitment to sustainability, regenerative tourism and responsible business leadership.

As New Zealand’s longest-running network of hotels, Scenic Hotel Group has spent more than 40 years building a reputation for delivering exceptional hospitality while protecting the natural environments and communities that make New Zealand unique.

With 18 properties across New Zealand (plus a resort on Niue) and a team of up to 800 people, the Group is committed to reducing its environmental impact while helping shape a more sustainable future for the wider tourism industry.

Karl Luxon, CEO of Scenic Hotel Group, says the hotel business is genuinely committed to its communities, guests and the remarkable environments it is fortunate to operate in.

“Being environmentally responsible is not only good for the planet but also for regional economic activity and the wellbeing of our guests.

“We’re not just hoteliers; we’re hosts, and we’re embracing a distinctive approach to how we navigate the sustainability learning curve. We see it as both a challenge and an opportunity to pioneer change. Our aim is to bring innovative leadership to the independent hotel industry, taking our people and guests with us.”

That leadership extends well beyond Scenic Hotel Group’s own operations.

Scenic Hotel Group was a founding member of the Hotel Council Aotearoa (HCA), New Zealand’s leading national body representing the hotel sector. The Group played an instrumental role in introducing an energy usage measure, developed in collaboration with the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority (EECA), into HCA’s annual operating survey. Over time, this industry-wide benchmarking is expected to help New Zealand hotels reduce emissions, improve energy efficiency and lower operating costs as the sector works towards decarbonisation.

Founded in 1981 with the purchase of a 48-room property at Franz Josef Glacier on the West Coast of Aotearoa New Zealand, Scenic Hotel Group today welcomes both leisure and business travellers from Paihia in the north to Dunedin in the south. The West Coast, however, continues to hold special significance in the Group’s history and future.

Scenic Hotel Group is deeply involved in the West Coast Destination Management Plan Steering Committee and is working alongside regional partners to champion regenerative tourism initiatives. These include supporting New Zealand’s first academic research into regenerative tourism, while helping deliver community training programmes that build local capability and encourage long-term environmental, social and economic resilience.

Heartland Hotel Haast, part of Scenic Hotel Group, offers guests an immersive experience within Haast’s UNESCO World Heritage Area. Visitors can enjoy hiking, tramping, kayaking on rivers and lakes, exploring ancient forests and gorges, and visiting the nearby white heron sanctuary, providing opportunities to connect with one of New Zealand’s most remarkable natural landscapes.

As New Zealand’s largest independent hotel company, Scenic Hotel Group believes it has both an opportunity and a responsibility to help set new standards for sustainable and regenerative tourism.

The Group’s regenerative tourism policy and programmes are underpinned by six United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 3, 8, 11, 12, 13 and 17), which guide the organisation’s approach to environmental stewardship, community partnerships, employee development, training and wellbeing. These principles are embedded across the business and inform decision-making at every level.

In November 2023 SHG became a Toitū Carbon Reduce organization. Toitū have independently audited our 2022 -2025 annual carbon inventories.

Our total emissions for 2025 were 2241 tCO2e, which is only 0.36% higher than our 2022 baseline and a commendable 4.56% down from our 2024 emissions.  This is a great effort considering there has been a 66% increase in room nights sold,  and several business units added to the group in that period.

Our carbon emissions per room sold have dropped from 9.99kgCO2e (2022) to 6.02kgCO2e (2025). A whopping 39.7% reduction in this metric since 2022.

The Group has identified stationary fuels (LPG, natural gas and diesel), and waste to landfill as its primary sources of emissions.

To address these, Scenic Hotel Group has implemented projects to improve energy efficiency, including the decarbonisation of energy sources, staff energy-efficiency programmes and lighting upgrades across its portfolio.

“We are investing in projects that not only reduce our emissions but also contribute to the economic and environmental resilience of the regions we operate in. It’s a win-win for sustainability and business,” says Richard Hayman, Head of Property and Environmental Policy Advisor for Scenic Hotel Group.

Scenic Hotel Group has offset 1,310,793kg CO₂e through high quality native forest regeneration projects via Forever Forests.  These projects are in Banks Peninsula, Flax Hills (Kaikoura) and Cattle Flat Station (near Queenstown).  We have never accounted these offsets against our carbon footprint,   and we ceased procuring these on 18th August 2025 in favour of other forms of contribution primarily through our Nature Economy Partnership project.

Scenic Hotel Group’s commitment to Toitū carbonreduce certification represents another important milestone in a much broader journey—one that combines operational excellence, industry leadership, regenerative tourism and meaningful partnerships to help create a more sustainable future for New Zealand’s hospitality sector.

Footnote

In New Zealand, the average passenger car emits approximately 2.9 kg of CO₂ per litre of petrol.

Assuming an average fuel economy of 11.8 km per litre, approximately 9.12 million kilometres of driving would produce 2,241 tCO₂e, equivalent to driving around the Earth approximately 228 times.

Actual emissions vary depending on fuel type, vehicle efficiency and driving conditions. This comparison uses the stated average passenger vehicle assumptions for New Zealand.

Scenic Hotel Group – Toitū carbonreduce certified (ISO 14064-1).