Hospitality New Zealand says the creeping costs of new laws are putting pressure on local businesses.

The organisation's released a report on the different factors impacting hospitality in Dunedin and the rest of the country.

Staff say higher licensing fees is having significant negative effects for local business owners.

And more paperwork means some small businesses have to bring in outside help.

It's believed increasing tourism numbers are partially offsetting the rising costs the new laws are causing.