An initiative to drive up standards across the tourism industry has been hailed an initial success in a report published today. `Fitness for Purpose – lessons from local authorities', published by the Local Government Association and supported by the Department for Media, Culture and Sport, details the results of the Fitness for Purpose scheme, piloted by local authorities in Blackpool, Bournemouth, Camden, Canterbury, Greenwich and West Sussex. The scheme promotes better inspection and regulation of tourism accommodation, whilst offering a lighter regulatory touch to well-run businesses that already comply with standards. Accommodation providers are given a "check list" to measure themselves against and then draw up an improvement plan to correct any problems that are identified. The scheme aims to reassure consumers that hotels, guesthouses and Bed and Breakfast accommodation meet minimum legal and safety standards, whilst giving businesses the support they need to raise standards in essential areas such as health and safety, fire and food safety and trading standards. Welcoming the findings of the report, Tourism Minister Richard Caborn said: "In an increasingly competitive tourism market, quality is everything. Both overseas and domestic visitors expect high standards. They are right to do so.