Dubai has officially gained recognition as the first certified autism destination in the eastern hemisphere. This designation underscores a citywide effort to make Dubai’s tourism proposition more accessible and inclusive for all residents and visitors.
This achievement also aligns with key priorities of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, by championing talent development, social inclusion and quality of life, as well as the UAE Year of Community, which includes the goal of creating inclusive spaces that encourage collaboration, a sense of belonging and shared experiences.
Awarded by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), renowned for its expertise in autism and sensory training, the journey to achieve the Certified Autism Destination status was spearheaded by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).
“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,” stated Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), part of the DET.
Key training programs drive inclusivity
This milestone was made possible through the collective efforts of key stakeholders and partners, who worked together to enhance accessibility across all aspects of the visitor experience, from the aviation ecosystem to hotels, attractions and transportation.
Key initiatives included comprehensive staff training programs, expanded visitor support at attractions, and the introduction of sensory guides and hidden disability lanyards to ensure a seamless and inclusive experience for all. Additionally, each certified location underwent an onsite review and received custom sensory guides developed by IBCCES as part of the process.
As part of the certification program, DET collaborated with IBCCES to facilitate comprehensive autism and sensory awareness training for Dubai’s tourist-facing workforce. At the heart of this achievement is the ‘Dubai Way’ online training platform developed by Dubai College of Tourism (DCT), part of DET, to empower staff with the skills and knowledge to provide a more inclusive experience for People of Determination.
DCT has also continued to offer its Inclusive Service program, a self-paced course that can be followed on the online Dubai Way platform. It teaches applicants how best to cater and communicate with People of Determination, with the training modules featuring real-life stories, interactive sessions and videos, fostering empathy and understanding while embedding diversity into everyday interactions with visitors.
“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,” added Kazim.
DXB earns Certified Autism Center designation
In just over two years, Dubai has achieved several milestones. More than 70,000 individuals have received autism and sensory awareness training. More than 300 hotels underwent the training and certification process, ensuring comfortable and inclusive stays for guests with autism and sensory sensitivities. In addition, more than 15 attractions have earned IBCCES certifications, in addition to beaches and parks.
Dubai International (DXB), which in December 2023 was recognized as the first international airport to earn the Certified Autism Center designation, has successfully completed the expansion of its hidden disability and autism-inclusive training program.
This initiative equipped 45,000 employees across the wider airport community, including partners and stakeholders, with the skills to better support hidden disabilities, including autistic and sensory-sensitive travellers navigating both DXB and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC).
“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. This milestone reflects our unwavering commitment to ensuring that every guest, regardless of their needs, enjoys a seamless and supportive travel experience at DXB,” stated Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports.
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World’s first Autism Certified Airline
For several years, Emirates has been on a journey to officially become the world’s first Autism Certified Airline, receiving certifications for its check-in areas and training more than 30,000 on-ground staff and cabin crew to support autistic customers in a myriad of ways.
“In April 2024, Emirates received Certified Autism Center Designations for our Dubai Check In facilities, including at our dedicated hub in Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport. A year later, we are the world’s first autism certified airline, with more than 30,000 cabin crew and airport staff trained to support customers with autism. These significant achievements help build a strong foundation for Dubai to be celebrated as the first certified autism destination in the eastern hemisphere, giving travellers confidence that their journey to and from our iconic city will be supported,” added Adel Al Redha, deputy president, and chief operations officer, Emirates.
Support from attractions and landmarks throughout the city has also been paramount to achieving the Certified Autism Destination status. A key example is Expo City Dubai, which was designated as a Certified Autism Center in December 2024 following an extensive training process for its visitor-facing team on how best to support autistic and sensory-sensitive visitors.
Moreover, Dubai Holding Entertainment, which offers a range of leisure and entertainment options across Dubai, has a number of attractions that have obtained the Certified Autism Center status, including Motiongate Dubai and The Green Planet. The group has outlined a range of plans for more of its destinations to achieve the certification.
