Dubai has officially earned recognition as the first Certified Autism Destination™ in the Eastern Hemisphere, marking a milestone in the city’s efforts to make tourism more inclusive and accessible for residents and visitors.
This achievement is aligned with key goals in the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which emphasizes talent development, social inclusion, and quality of life, as well as the UAE Year of Community, aiming to create spaces that promote collaboration, belonging, and shared experiences.
The designation was awarded by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), an organization known for its expertise in autism and sensory training.
The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) led the initiative to obtain Certified Autism Destination™ status, with support from a variety of stakeholders and partners. Their combined efforts focused on improving accessibility across multiple visitor experiences, including aviation, hotels, attractions, and transportation. Initiatives like staff training programs, enhanced visitor support at attractions, and the introduction of sensory guides and hidden disability lanyards were integral to ensuring a more inclusive experience for all. Each certified location also received an onsite review and sensory guides created by IBCCES.
As part of the certification process, DET collaborated with IBCCES to offer comprehensive autism and sensory awareness training for the city’s tourism workforce. The ‘Dubai Way’ online training platform, developed by the Dubai College of Tourism (DCT), plays a crucial role in empowering staff to provide a more inclusive experience for People of Determination, or those with special needs and disabilities.
DCT continues to offer its Inclusive Service program via the Dubai Way platform, which includes interactive training modules designed to enhance understanding and communication with People of Determination. These modules include real-life stories and videos, helping to foster empathy and integrate diversity into everyday interactions with visitors.
In just over two years, Dubai has achieved remarkable milestones:
Over 70,000 individuals have completed autism and sensory awareness training.
More than 300 hotels are undergoing training and certification to ensure inclusive stays for guests with autism and sensory sensitivities.
Over 15 attractions, along with beaches and parks, have earned IBCCES certifications.
His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), commented, “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.”
Myron Pincomb, IBCCES Board Chairman and CEO, stated, “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 autistic people and individuals with sensory needs, can explore and experience everything Dubai has to offer with confidence and ease.”
In December 2023, Dubai International (DXB) became the first international airport to receive the Certified Autism Center™ designation. Since then, the airport has expanded its autism-inclusive training program, ensuring that 45,000 employees across the airport community are equipped to support autistic and sensory-sensitive travelers.
Support from various attractions and landmarks throughout Dubai has also been key in achieving the Certified Autism Destination™ status. For example, Expo City Dubai received the Certified Autism Center™ designation in December 2024, following extensive training for its team to support autistic and sensory-sensitive visitors.
Dubai Holding Entertainment, which offers various leisure and entertainment options, has also played a pivotal role in securing the Certified Autism Center™ status for attractions like Motiongate Dubai and The Green Planet. The group plans to have more of its destinations earn the certification in the future.
