Scenic Hotel Group, a respected leader in New Zealand’s hospitality industry for over four decades, is excited to share its recent Toitū carbonreduce certification.

With 17 properties spread across New Zealand (plus a resort on Niue) and a team of up to 800 individuals, the hotel group is deeply committed to lessening its environmental impact.

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

“Being environmentally responsible is not only good for the planet but also for regional economic activity, and the well-being 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,” he says.

Founded in 1981 with the purchase of a 48-room property in the Franz Josef Glacier on the West Coast of Aotearoa New Zealand, these days Scenic Hotel Group caters to leisure and business travellers from Paihia in the north to Dunedin in the south, but the West Coast holds unique significance.

Heartland Hotel Haast, part of the Scenic Hotel Group, offers guests an immersive experience in Haast’s UNESCO World Heritage Area. Activities such as hiking, tramping, kayaking in the rivers and lakes, visiting ancient forests and gorges, and exploring the white heron bird sanctuary are all close by.

As New Zealand’s largest independent hotel company, Scenic Hotel Group’s influence on the tourism sector is substantial and the Group aims to set a new standard for travel in New Zealand.

Scenic Hotel Group’s audited carbon emissions for the year stand at 2,233.17 tCO2e, equivalent to driving a car around the Earth approximately 41 times.

The hotelier has identified electricity, stationary fuel (LPG and natural gas), and mobile combustion as the primary sources of emissions.

To address these, the hotel business has embarked on projects to enhance energy efficiency, such as the decarbonisation of energy sources, an energy efficiency checklist for staff, and a lighting efficiency project.

“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.

For travellers actively looking to mitigate their own emissions, Scenic Hotel Group offers guests the option of purchasing a carbon neutral room rate, which automatically offsets their stay with high-quality Carbon Click/Forever Forests carbon sinks.

To date, Scenic Hotel Group has offset 410,793kg CO2 equivalent emissions with Forever Forests in Banks Peninsula and Flax Hills.

Scenic Hotel Group’s commitment to Toitū carbonreduce certification is a significant step towards a more sustainable future for New Zealand’s hospitality industry.

 

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

Assuming an average car mileage of 11.8 km per litre, it would take approximately 1.64 million kilometres of driving to produce 2,233.17 tCO2e. This is equivalent to driving a car around the Earth approximately 41 times.

Please note that the emissions per litre of petrol can vary based on factors such as the type of fuel, driving conditions, and vehicle efficiency. The given conversion uses average emission values for passenger cars in New Zealand.

Scenic Hotel Group Toitu ISO: 14064-1