Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the institutional challenges of coordinating regulatory agencies and the costs associated with compliance requirements in Tanzania’s tourist industry. Design/methodology/approach – This paper is based on qualitative research conducted in the northern tourism circuit of Tanzania. Data were generated through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with owner-managers of tourism enterprises, heads of regulatory agencies and leaders of business associations (n¼60). The findings were analysed through triangulating the data from various sources to establish emerging themes and patterns in accordance with the theoretical underpinnings and research objectives. Findings– Thefindingsshowthattourismenterprisesaregovernedbyamultitudeofnational,sub-national andsectoralinstitutionsmandatedtoimposeseveraltaxes,feesandleviesonenterprises.Asaresult,tourism enterprisesarerequiredtoobtainduplicatelicencesandaresubjectedtouncoordinatedinspections.Thepoor treatment byregulatoryagencies, theunclearbasis for estimatingtaxes and levies,inadequate tax education and closure of businesses were also reported as key regulatory challenges. Most challenges emerge from agentification of the public sector and the lack of a legal framework in which to formally facilitate coordination and information sharing amongst government agencies. Practical implications – The paper proposes streamlining the functions of divergent institutions governing the industry by increasing intergovernmental coordination through delegating some functions, sharing information and enforcing formal inter-ministerial and cross-government consultation structures. Originality/value – Thispaperaddsvaluetopreviousregulatoryassessmentsbyempiricallyanalysingthe specific sector and showing how the principal–agent relationship for the public sector can be improved through enforcing coordination of the multiple agencies governing the tourist industry.