Dubai has officially gained recognition as the first Certified Autism Destination in the Eastern Hemisphere — a designation which underscores a citywide effort to make the tourism proposition more accessible and inclusive for all residents and visitors.
The achievement 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.
Collective efforts
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 Certified Autism Destination status was spearheaded by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). 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
Key initiatives included comprehensive staff training programmes, 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 on-site review and received custom sensory guides developed by IBCCES as part of the process.
As part of the certification programme, DET collaborated with IBCCES to facilitate comprehensive autism and sensory awareness training for the city’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 (those with special needs or disabilities).
DCT has also continued to offer its Inclusive Service programme — 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.
In just over two years, the city has achieved the following milestones:
More than 70,000 individuals have received autism and sensory awareness training.
More than 300 hotels within the training and certification process, ensuring comfortable and inclusive stays for guests with autism and sensory sensitivities.
