Dubai is the first autistic tourist destination ™ in the eastern hemisphere

Dubai has obtained the universal ranking as the first autism tourist destination “™” in the eastern hemisphere, as part of a step that reflects the relevant efforts made by the emirate to make tourism offers and experiences available, soft and comprehensive for all residents and visitors of the city.

This achievement is in line with the main priorities of the Dubai Economic Agenda “D33”, which enhances the development of talent, social inclusiveness, and the quality of life, as it coincides with the general community in the state, which aims to enhance ties and create comprehensive areas that establish the values ​​of cooperation, belonging and common experiences.

The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism contributed to the joint efforts to obtain this world rankings issued by the International Council for Control and Continuing Education Standards “IBCCES”, which is characterized by its great experience in providing training in the field of autism and sensory perception, as the concerned authorities and partners have provided many initiatives and options to enhance the ease of access to various experiences, including the aviation system, hotels, tourist attractions and means of transportation.

The most prominent initiatives included conducting comprehensive training programs for the workforce, providing support to visitors in tourist sites, and providing sensory guidelines and tapes for hidden disabilities in order to provide a smooth and comprehensive experience for all.

All approved sites were also subjected to a field review, and were provided with dedicated sensory guidelines developed by the International Council for Accreditation and Continuing Education as part of the process.
The procedures for obtaining the classification included cooperation between the Dubai Economy and Tourism Department and the International Council for Accreditation and Continuing Education “IBCCES”, to provide comprehensive training programs on autism and sensory awareness of the working cadres that directly communicate with visitors.

Providing a comprehensive experience for people of determination

The “Dubai approach”, the online training platform developed by the Dubai Tourism College, affiliated with the Dubai Department of Economics and Tourism, played an important role in achieving this achievement, as it contributed to providing the trainees with the skills and knowledge necessary to provide a comprehensive experience for people with concern with special needs.
Dubai Tourism College continues to provide a comprehensive service program, which is a self -learning program that can be subscribed to through the “Dubai approach” platform, aiming to teach subscribers how to take care of people with determination and communicate with them effectively.

The training units within the program include realistic stories, interactive sessions, and videos highlighting how to deal with this category with high skill, in addition to introducing different methods of daily communication with visitors.

In just two years, the emirate succeeded in achieving distinguished achievements that included training more than 70,000 people about autism and sensory perception, in addition to more than 300 hotels in the process of obtaining a certificate to provide comfortable and appropriate residency for autistic people, as well as more than 15 tourist attractions obtaining a classification from the International Council for Accreditation and Continuing Education Standards.

Provide soft tourism

Issam Kazim, Executive Director of the Dubai Tourism and Trade Marketing Foundation, affiliated with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, said that the Dubai classification as an accredited tourist destination for autism “™” is an important achievement that enhances the endeavors aimed at providing soft tourism, as it reflects the joint commitment to developing infrastructure, refining skills, improving the level of services in the emirate, and under the guidance of the wise leadership, the department continues its efforts. To upgrade various experiences in Dubai and make it available to all groups of residents and visitors of the city.

He added that the determined efforts and great support from the partners, including the International Council for Credit Standards and Continuing Education, the aviation system, hotels, and tourist attractions contributed to achieving this important achievement that contributes to achieving the targets of the Dubai Economic Agenda “D33” aimed at strengthening the city’s position as a world -class destination for business and entertainment, and in line with the goals of the year of society in the Emirates, pointing out to continue the work To make Dubai the best city to live, work and visit by supporting innovation, and expanding the list of offers offered by the emirate.

For his part, Mayrun Pencumb, CEO and Chairman of the International Council for the Standards of Accreditation and Continuing Education “IBCCES”, said that Dubai continues to raise the standards of tourism facilitating to improve the services provided, and the council is proud to contribute to supporting this initiative, and this achievement is an important step to ensure that all visitors, including people who suffer from autism and sensory perception of the opportunity to explore and experience everything it provides Dubai with confidence and ease.

Dubai International Airport, the first international airport in the world to obtain a certificate of friendly environment for autism “™” in December 2023, has successfully expanded the specialized training program on hidden challenges and autism spectrum.

This program has provided 45,000 employees from all over the airport community, including strategic partners and relevant authorities, with the skills necessary to provide appropriate support for travelers with hidden challenges, including autism and sensory turmoil during their crossing from Dubai International Airport and Dubai and World Central Airport – Al Maktoum International Airport.

Achieving the ambitious Dubai vision

Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, expressed the pride of Dubai airports, in the active partnership in achieving the ambitious Dubai vision to become an internationally autistic destination.

He said: “As the main gate of the city and its first and last station for millions of travelers, we adhere to a firm commitment to providing a welcome and comprehensive environment for all. This achievement reflects our insistence on ensuring the provision of a soft, smooth and supportive travel experience for all guests, regardless of their individual needs.”

He added: “Through the Dubai International Airport community” OneDXB “, we strive to enhance comprehensive access, and to provide specialized training programs for the front lines employees, and the design of spaces and facilities fully takes into account the needs of people of determination, including individuals with autism and other hidden challenges, and based on our pioneering position as the most crowded international airports in the world, we renew our fixed commitment to make travel a more human experience And sympathize with everyone. “

Emirates Airlines has made a long way for years, to formally become the first accredited air carrier for people with autism, after obtaining accreditation in the areas of completion of travel procedures and training more than 30,000 ground service employees and aircraft crews to support travelers with autism spectrum disorder in multiple ways.

Adel Al -Ridha, Vice President and CEO of Operations at Emirates Airlines, said that Emirates Airlines has always been at the forefront of facilitating travel efforts, based on its firm commitment to making the travel experience more comprehensive, and during the month of April last year, Emirates Airlines has obtained the official accreditation certificate as a friend of autistic people, for all its facilities to complete travel procedures in Dubai, including its center allocated in Building 3 at Dubai International Airport, and after one year, it became Emirates. The world’s first autistic air carrier to support autistic people, with more than 30,000 airport employees and crew received specialized training for this purpose.

He added that these accomplishments are pivotal steps towards consolidating Dubai’s position as the first approved destination in supporting autistic travelers in the eastern hemisphere, which enhances the confidence of travelers that their journey to and from our city will be supported by various means, and we continue to work alongside the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism to cause actual and sustainable change, to establish Dubai’s position as a leading destination in the field of travel available to all, In embodiment of Emirates Airlines social and professional responsibility to facilitate the flight of its autistic customers.

Expo Dubai Model

The support provided by destinations and tourist attractions in the emirate played a pivotal role in the context of efforts to obtain the approved destination classification, and the city of Expo highlights a clear example of this, as it obtained the classification of a “accredited center for autism” in December 2024, after completing extensive training programs for the teams that deal directly with visitors on how to provide support to visitors who suffer from autism or sensory disorder.
Marjan Faridoni, CEO of Human Resources and Head of Education and Culture in the city of Expo Dubai, said that by obtaining a classification of an accredited destination for autism, Dubai proves the possibility of success and prosperity in the travel and tourism sectors when priority is given for easy access and inclusion, which guarantees everyone without exception the opportunity to try all that Dubai offers.

She expressed the pride of the city of Expo with its contribution to these efforts at the level of Dubai, adding: “We obtained the classification of an accredited center for autism in 2024 a prominent achievement in the strategy of our city that is centered on the human being, and aims to create a comprehensive culture and environment for all those who visit the city of Expo, live or work in it, and we look forward to more opportunities for cooperation and success with our progress on this trip.”

Dubai Entertainment Holding, which provides many entertainment options in Dubai, has a set of tourist sites that have obtained the Certified Autism Center Certificate ™, including Dubai Mothengt, and Green Planet. It also announced plans to obtain a certificate in other destinations.

Al -Anoud Al -Hashemi, Vice President of Institutional Culture and Sustainability in Dubai Holding for Entertainment, expressed its pride in the contribution of Dubai Holding for Entertainment in strengthening Dubai’s position as a supportive destination for autistic travelers in the eastern hemisphere, which enhances its position as a comprehensive city for all.

She emphasized the commitment to continue efforts to make the facilities easier to reach and move, so that all the guests, whether they are Dubai or its visitors from all over the world, can enjoy the exceptional experiences offered by the city.

A list of all destinations for accreditation as an approved center for autism was placed on “IBCCes Accessibility App”, which is available for free download, while the application provides travelers in real time at the time about the classification destinations, and the appropriate spaces for people with sensory disorder, as well as providing customized recommendations.