Dubai has been designated as the first Certified Autism Destination location in the Eastern Hemisphere.
The certification was awarded by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) for Dubai enhancing "its preparedness by training and equipping its workforce and facilities to support autistic and sensory sensitive visitors".
The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism led the initiative and more than 70,000 people received IBCCES’ autism and sensory awareness training, a two-year process.
Over 300 hotels participated and 15 attractions gained Certified Autism Centre status, now offering custom sensory guides, trained employees and more.
Additionally, Emirates was the world’s first Autism-certified airline last year. Dubai International became the first international airport to receive Certified Autism Centre designation in 2023.
Travelers heading to Dubai can download the IBCCES’ accessibility phone app to find certified attractions, accommodations and experiences.
“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,” said His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, in a press release.
“This also marks another important step towards achieving the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33...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.”
