Dubai Intends To Become First Autism Destination In MENA

As the emirate works to advance accessibility and inclusiveness for visitors from all around the world, Dubai will become the first-ever Certified Autism Destination.

The first phase of this initiative includes access to specialised autism-specific instruction for staff members across all Dubai attractions, hospitality, and entertainment organizations. This initiative is a partnership with the Dubai Economy as well as the Tourism Department and the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES).

The IBCCES stated that the training will improve staff knowledge, awareness, and techniques for interaction, customer experience, and security to better serve and accommodate people of determination.

More accessibility solutions are desperately needed in the tourism and entertainment industries, where 1 in 6 people have sensory demands and autism diagnosis rates are rising globally. Due to a lack of staff knowledge or assistance, most autistic and sensory-sensitive people, as well as their families, find it difficult to travel or arrange family outings.

Dubai’s designation as a Certified Autism Destination is consistent with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s mission, which is to empower courageous people. 

The statement said that Dubai’s top entertainment, hotel, and travel facilities will become vital entities to further the effort and offer an approachable destination for people of determination through the training and eventual accreditation with the IBCCES.

They aim to make sure that everyone who visits Dubai has the greatest experience possible. Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce, stated that they are proud to partner with IBCCES to provide staff training to equip Dubai’s hospitality and entertainment team members with the tools and education required to better serve people of determination, such as those who are autistic or sensory-sensitive.

Travel and entertainment venues must go through the Certified Autism Center (CAC) certification process of the IBCCES in order to reach the next level of certification as an autism destination.

The statement read that in addition to staff training, the CAC process will also involve onsite inspections to provide further suggestions and assistance so that attractions and resorts may improve the guest experience.