Dubai has been recognized as the first Certified Autism Destination in the Eastern Hemisphere. The certification, awarded by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), marks a significant milestone in the city's efforts to enhance accessibility for visitors and residents.
The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism led the certification process, which involved collaboration with various stakeholders including the aviation sector, hotels, attractions and transportation services.
As part of the certification requirements, more than 70,000 individuals received autism and sensory awareness training. More than 300 hotels participated in the training and certification process, and more than 15 attractions earned IBCCES certifications, alongside beaches and parks.
Dubai International Airport played a key role in this achievement, having been recognized as the first international airport to earn the Certified Autism Center designation in December 2023. The airport expanded its hidden disability and autism-inclusive training program to 45,000 employees across its community, including both Dubai International and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International.
Emirates has also been working toward becoming the world's first Autism Certified Airline. The carrier received certifications for its Dubai check-in facilities in April 2024 and has trained more than 30,000 cabin crew and airport staff to support customers with autism.
Other notable participants include Expo City Dubai, which was designated as a Certified Autism Center in 2024, and Dubai Holding Entertainment, whose attractions Motiongate Dubai and The Green Planet have obtained Certified Autism Center status.
Key initiatives implemented across the city include comprehensive staff training programs, expanded visitor support at attractions, and the introduction of sensory guides and hidden disability lanyards. Additionally, certified locations underwent on-site reviews and received custom sensory guides developed by IBCCES.
To support travelers, all certified locations in Dubai are featured on the IBCCES Accessibility App, which provides real-time guidance on certified destinations, sensory-friendly spaces and recommendations for visitors.
Editor’s Note: This article was generated by AI, based on a press release distributed by Visit Dubai. It has been fact-checked and reviewed by a TravelAge West editor.
