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Dubai becomes first Certified Autism Destination™ in the Eastern Hemisphere
D ubai has officially gained
recognition as the first Certified Autism Destination™ in the Eastern Hemisphere – a designation which underscores a citywide effort to make the tourism proposition more accessible and inclusive for all residents and visitors. This achievement aligns with key priorities of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, by championing talent development, social inclusion, and quality of life, as well as the UAE Year of Community, which includes the goal of creating inclusive spaces that encourage collaboration, a sense of belonging, and shared experiences. Awarded by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards( IBCCES), renowned for its expertise in autism and sensory training, the journey to achieve Certified Autism Destination™ status was spearheaded by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism( DET). Key stakeholders and partners worked together to enhance accessibility across all aspects of the visitor experience – from the aviation ecosystem, to hotels, attractions, and transportation. Key initiatives included comprehensive staff training programmes, expanded visitor support at attractions, and the introduction of sensory guides and hidden disability lanyards. Additionally, each certified location underwent an onsite review and received custom sensory guides developed by IBCCES as part of the process.
DET collaborated with IBCCES to facilitate comprehensive autism and sensory awareness training for the city’ s tourist-facing workforce. At the heart of this achievement is the‘ Dubai Way’ online training platform developed
Left: Emirates received Certified Autism Center™ Designations for Dubai Check In facilities by Dubai College of Tourism( DCT), part of DET, to empower staff with the skills and knowledge to provide a more inclusive experience for People of Determination( those with special needs or disabilities).
DCT has also continued to offer its Inclusive Service programme – a self-paced course that can be followed on the online Dubai Way platform. It teaches applicants how best to cater and communicate with People of Determination, with the training modules featuring real-life stories, interactive sessions, and videos.
In just over two years, the city has achieved the milestones of more than 70,000 individuals receiving autism and sensory awareness training and more than 300 hotels involved in the training and certification process.
More than 15 attractions have earned IBCCES certifications in addition to beaches and parks.
His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing( DCTCM), part of the DET, said:“ Dubai’ s designation as a Certified Autism Destination is a landmark moment in our accessibility journey, demonstrating a collective commitment to not only consistently developing infrastructure, but also enhancing skills and services across the city. Under the guidance of our visionary leadership, we are dedicated to further elevating the experience in Dubai for all residents and visitors, with accessibility as a core priority.”
Myron Pincomb, IBCCES Board chairman and CEO, said:“ Dubai is raising the bar for accessible tourism, and IBCCES is honoured to support this initiative. This achievement represents a significant step in ensuring that all visitors, including autistic people and individuals with sensory needs, can explore and experience everything Dubai has to offer with confidence and ease.”
Dubai International( DXB), which in December 2023 was recognised
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