Dubai
INCLUSIVITY IN ACTION
Dubai’ s leadership in the global events industry extends beyond innovation and infrastructure – it also encompasses inclusivity and accessibility. In 2024, Dubai became the first Certified Autism Destination™ in the Eastern Hemisphere, marking a historic milestone that underscores the city’ s commitment to making every visitor experience accessible, comfortable, and empowering. This recognition, awarded by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards( IBCCES), positions Dubai as a model for social sustainability and inclusive tourism worldwide.
This achievement was made possible through a comprehensive citywide programme led by DET, involving training across hotels, venues, transport networks, and key visitor attractions. More than 20 leading tourism and hospitality entities, including Dubai World Trade Centre( DWTC), Expo City Dubai, and several major hotel groups, underwent autism-certification training to create sensory-aware environments and enhance service readiness. As a result, venues across the city now offer features such as quiet zones, sensory guides, tactile wayfinding, and sign-language-trained staff, ensuring that delegates and visitors of all abilities can fully participate in events. This milestone adds to Dubai’ s growing recognition as one of the world’ s most accessible cities for tourism and business events, and the city’ s commitment to champion both inclusivity and excellence in the delegate experience.
This inclusivity extends across sectors-from Dubai Parks and Resorts’ sensory-friendly zones to Mall of the Emirates’ sensory rooms and Dubai International Airport’ s accessibility services. DBE integrates these advances into its planning support, helping organisers design conferences and exhibitions that meet global accessibility standards while providing a dignified and enriching experience for every attendee.
The certification complements Dubai’ s wider People of Determination( POD) strategy, reinforcing its role as a socially responsible destination aligned with the UAE’ s inclusive development agenda. By embedding accessibility into every facet of the visitor journey, Dubai not only enhances its event infrastructure but also sends a powerful message: inclusivity is innovation. n
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