Dubai becomes autism-certified destination

Dubai has officially gained the recognition as an autism-certified destination, underscoring citywide efforts to make tourism more accessible and inclusive for all.

The certification by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) pegs Dubai as the first city in the Eastern Hemisphere to gain the title.

The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) collaborated with IBCCES to facilitate comprehensive autism and sensory awareness training for the city’s tourist-facing workforce.

In just over two years, the city has marked significant progress in inclusivity, with over 70,000 individuals receiving autism and sensory awareness training. It extends to the hospitality sector, where more than 300 hotels are actively engaged in a training and certification process, aiming to provide comfortable and inclusive experiences for guests with autism and sensory sensitivities.

Additionally, more than 15 attractions, along with several beaches and parks, have earned IBCCES certifications, reinforcing the city's commitment to accessibility and inclusivity.

Myron Pincomb, IBCCES Board Chairman and CEO, highlighted that the "achievement represents a significant step in ensuring that all visitors, including autistic people and individuals with sensory needs, can explore and experience everything Dubai has to offer with confidence and ease".

It comes days after Emirates Airline got the recognition of the world’s first Autism-Certified Airline, after successfully training over 30,000 cabin crew and ground staff in autism awareness and support.

In December 2023, Dubai International (DXB) was recognised as the first international airport to earn the Certified Autism Centre designation. Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said, "As the first and last impression of the city for millions of travellers, we embrace our responsibility to create a welcoming, accessible, and inclusive environment for all."

Support from attractions and landmarks throughout the city has also been paramount to achieving the Certified Autism Destination status, with Expo City Dubai and a number of attractions under Dubai Holding Entertainment obtaining the recognition over the last year.