Sudima Hotels & Resorts

Sudima Hotels & Resorts sets the bar high when it comes to protecting the environment because it’s good for business and good for New Zealand.

It believes that as visitor numbers increase, tourism businesses must reduce their carbon footprint. Since becoming New Zealand’s first CarboNZero accredited hotel in 2014, Sudima Auckland Airport has reduced emissions year-on year, something that has real cut through with travellers concerned about the environment.

Sudima Christchurch Airport recently achieved the same carbon neutral status, measuring a 26% saving in energy costs from 2012 to 2016 despite adding 38 rooms.

Staff across the Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua and Christchurch hotels are taken on the environmental journey and understand the importance of creating a sustainable business. A ‘Green Team’ has representatives from each hotel who look for new environmental ideas and community projects such as local clean ups and organic herb gardens for the kitchen teams.

Green initiatives in the hotels range from electric car charging stations and rainwater harvesting to LED lighting and chemical free cleaning products and swimming pools. A chilled beam air conditioning system in Sudima Auckland Airport was costly to install but generates huge energy savings.

Some properties have no in-room fridges or cut flowers. Guest communication ensures they understand what the hotel is doing to be sustainable and why.

The hotels work with suppliers that can prove their environmental credentials, such as a coffee partner that provides Fairtrade, certified organic beans and biodegradable, compostable takeaway cups, and a bathroom product supplier that supplies environmentally friendly products and also converts used soap bars into biodiesel and biodegradable building products.

In a competitive marketplace, Sudima Hotels & Resorts has created a brand that embodies the notion of kaitiakitanga. That is driving up profits and resonating with staff, guests and local communities.