A best practice for small to medium enterprises in the adventure tourism sector to effectively manage regulatory compliance in Queenstown in New Zealand

Abstract

The compliance burden problems encountered by small and medium size enterprises can be grouped into; Administrative cost- for example, processing and filing compliance forms. Capital cost-investment in equipment and facilities required for the activities. Indirect and efficiency cost- reduced productivity and innovation arising, for example, as a consequence of regulation (Ministry of Economic Development, 2006). The aim of this study is to propose solutions to compliance burdens within the adventure tourism industry in New Zealand, by first identifying which regulatory practices impose the greatest burden to small and medium sized enterprises in the industry. My research objectives are transformed to research questions, which guide the entire study. In addition, the research was conducted making use of the qualitative approach. A total of 10 interviews were conducted and covered land, water and air based activities. The data collecting method involved conducting an interview made up of 10 questions. After analysing the findings, the researcher concluded that complying with regulations is an issue within the adventure tourism sector in Queenstown in New Zealand. This is further hampered by jurisdictional split across the diverse agencies. To handle such shortcoming, the information gap has to be addressed so as to facilitate dissemination of information to all stakeholders within the sector. In addition,providing better managerial skills within the sector through government training schemes and free business advice to operators within the sector is recommended. Moreover, a common standard can be introduced across the sector by establishing guidelines for risk, during emergency while handling clients, staff, equipment, administering basic first aid and monitoring. The result of this research is expected to produce a picture of the prevailing nature of issues raised in the studies to all concerned stakeholders.