Dubai Achieves Landmark Recognition as a Certified Autism Destination™, Elevating Accessibility for Visitors of Determination
Dubai’s recognition as a Certified Autism Destination™ has been achieved through a strategic collaboration with Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and IBCCES. This milestone ensures that an increasing number of hotels, attractions, and transportation services across the city are equipped with autism-certified staff, sensory-friendly accommodations, and tailored visitor resources. While this marks a significant achievement, it is just the beginning of Dubai’s continuous efforts to set a new global benchmark for accessibility in tourism.
His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (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, and this recognition has been made possible thanks to the steadfast efforts and support of all our partners, including IBCCES, the aviation ecosystem, hotels, and attractions. This also marks another important step towards achieving the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, to further consolidate Dubai’s position as a leading global destination for business and leisure, and aligns with the priorities of the UAE Year of Community. As we continue to innovate and expand our offerings, we remain focused on making Dubai the best city to visit, live, and work in – for everyone.”
Dubai joins a select group of global destinations that have earned this prestigious certification, ensuring that travellers can enjoy a seamless experience with:
- Certified Autism Centers™️ (CACs) across hotels, attractions, public beaches, and transportation hubs
- Comprehensive staff training to better serve autistic guests and those with sensory sensitivities
- Sensory guides, communication tools, and pre-arrival planning resources to improve the visitor experience
“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 those with autism and sensory needs, can explore and experience everything Dubai has to offer with confidence and ease,” says Myron Pincomb, IBCCES board chairman and CEO.
The IBCCES Certified Autism Destination™ designation is part of a global movement to enhance accessibility in travel. As Dubai continues to expand its network of Certified Autism Centers™, the city invites travellers of determination and their families to experience its world-renowned attractions with assurance, peace of mind, and comfort.
Importantly, this is just the beginning. The city will continue to work alongside IBCCES to certify additional locations, ensuring that even more attractions, services, and accommodations will be fully accessible for all visitors moving forward.