Dubai Becomes First Certified Autism Destination in East

Post by: Layla Badr

Photo: Dubai Government Media Office

Dubai has become the first city in the Eastern Hemisphere to be officially recognized as a Certified Autism Destination™. This achievement highlights the city’s efforts to make its tourism more inclusive and accessible to everyone, including people with autism and sensory sensitivities. This recognition is part of Dubai’s broader goals to promote talent development, social inclusion, and improve the quality of life, which are key priorities in the Dubai Economic Agenda D33. It also aligns with the UAE Year of Community, which focuses on creating spaces where people can collaborate, feel a sense of belonging, and share experiences.

The Certified Autism Destination™ title was awarded by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), a recognized authority in autism and sensory training. The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) led the effort to achieve this recognition. The success was made possible through the combined efforts of many partners and stakeholders, who worked together to improve accessibility in all areas of tourism, from airports and hotels to attractions and transportation.

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As part of the certification process, the city launched several important programs. These include training for staff across various tourism services, sensory guides for visitors, and hidden disability lanyards to make it easier for people with special needs to have a smooth and inclusive experience. Attractions and other tourist spots also received special reviews and were provided with customized sensory guides to support visitors with autism and sensory sensitivities.

In addition, the Dubai College of Tourism (DCT), a part of DET, created an online training platform called “Dubai Way”. This platform helps tourist-facing staff develop the skills they need to assist people with special needs, including those with autism. DCT also offers a self-paced training program called the Inclusive Service Programme, which teaches staff how to communicate and cater to the needs of people with disabilities. This training uses real-life stories, videos, and interactive sessions to help staff understand and be more empathetic toward people with special needs.

Here are some of the key achievements Dubai has made in just over two years:

• More than 70,000 people have received autism and sensory awareness training.

• Over 300 hotels have joined the training and certification process, ensuring inclusive and comfortable stays for guests with autism.

• More than 15 attractions have earned the IBCCES certification, and several beaches and parks have also become certified.

Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), said that Dubai’s recognition as a Certified Autism Destination is a major milestone in the city's journey to improve accessibility for all. He emphasized that this recognition shows Dubai’s commitment to enhancing the visitor experience and making the city a better place to live and work. Kazim also mentioned that this achievement is in line with the goals of Dubai’s D33 economic agenda, which aims to make Dubai a top global destination for both business and leisure.

Myron Pincomb, the Chairman and CEO of IBCCES, praised Dubai for setting an example in accessible tourism, saying that this certification makes it easier for people with autism and sensory sensitivities to enjoy the city confidently.

Dubai International Airport (DXB) also received a Certified Autism Center™ designation in December 2023. This made it the first international airport in the world to receive this recognition. DXB has expanded its autism-inclusive training program, providing more than 45,000 airport staff with the knowledge and skills to assist autistic and sensory-sensitive travelers. Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said that the airport is proud to support Dubai’s effort to be more inclusive and welcoming to everyone.

Emirates, Dubai’s main airline, has also been making progress in providing accessible travel. In April 2024, Emirates received Certified Autism Center™ status for its check-in facilities at Dubai International Airport, and it is now the world’s first autism-certified airline. Over 30,000 Emirates staff have been trained to assist autistic passengers in various ways. Adel Al Redha, Deputy President and Chief Operations Officer of Emirates, highlighted the importance of breaking barriers and creating a better travel experience for all passengers, especially those with autism.

Dubai’s attractions and landmarks have also been instrumental in helping the city earn the Certified Autism Destination title. One example is Expo City Dubai, which became a Certified Autism Center™ in December 2024. Marjan Faraidooni, Chief of Education and Culture at Expo City Dubai, expressed pride in contributing to this achievement and said the city’s focus on inclusion and accessibility benefits everyone.

Dubai Holding Entertainment, which operates several leisure and entertainment venues in the city, has also earned Certified Autism Center™ status for places like Motiongate Dubai and The Green Planet. Alanood Al Hashemi, Vice President of Dubai Holding Entertainment, said the group is committed to ensuring its attractions are accessible to everyone, regardless of their needs.

To make it easier for visitors to find accessible places, all certified locations in Dubai are now featured on the IBCCES Accessibility App, which is free to download. This app helps travelers find real-time information on sensory-friendly spaces and accessible destinations across Dubai.

Dubai’s recognition as the first Certified Autism Destination™ in the Eastern Hemisphere marks a significant step toward making the city more inclusive for everyone. The city’s ongoing efforts in training, certification, and innovation will help ensure that all visitors, including those with autism, can enjoy everything Dubai has to offer with confidence and comfort.

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