Latest news with #CertifiedAutismDestination™
Time of India
04-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
UAE: Dubai closes in on top-three global tourism rank with 9.88 million visitors in first half of 2025
TL;DR: Dubai welcomed 9.88 million international visitors in the first half of 2025, a 6% increase over H1 2024. welcomed 9.88 million in the first half of 2025, a 6% increase over H1 2024. The surge is anchored in air connectivity, strong hotel performance, global business and leisure events, and recognitions like Certified Autism Destination™ status. Strategic partnerships in hospitality, visa facilitation, and a year‑round mix of MICE, culture, and retail initiatives continue to draw diverse audiences. Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has announced that 9.88 million international overnight visitors arrived in the city between January and June 2025, pushing the destination further toward its goal of ranking among the world's top three tourist hubs. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This also surpasses the 18.72 million total in 2024, which itself represented a 9% annual growth. Average hotel occupancy stood at 80.6%, with 22.24 million room nights sold, a 4% year-over-year rise. Hospitality metrics such as average daily rate (ADR) and revenue per available room (RevPAR) also saw solid gains, ADR rose 5%, RevPAR up 7%. Connectivity & global access Dubai International Airport (DXB) handled a record 46 million passengers during the first six months of 2025, solidifying its position as the world's busiest international airport. India remains the top visitor market, underscoring strong bilateral connectivity. The smoothness of ground operations and baggage services was cited as a key factor in handling the surge, even amid regional airspace disruptions. DXB projected a total of 96 million annual passengers and is set to reach 100 million by 2026. Why visitors choose Dubai Exceptional Infrastructure & Attractions From Ain Dubai, the world's tallest observation wheel, to the immersive Museum of the Future, and sprawling retail hubs like The Dubai Mall, Dubai combines futuristic design and cultural storytelling in its iconic experiences. Diverse Global Recognition & Safety Dubai earned titles such as Certified Autism Destination™ and ranked high in safety surveys, including being named the world's best city for solo female travellers in a 62-city study. Events, Festivals & MICE Calendar A calendar filled with retail spectacles like Dubai Shopping Festival, global conferences, expos like GITEX, and sporting events ensures year-round draws and visitor engagement. Culinary & Leisure Appeal From Michelin-starred restaurants to creative culinary tours in Old Dubai's souks, Dubai offers experiences across the spectrum—luxury to local flavour. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Strategic Partnerships & Accessibility DET's partnerships with Marriott, Hyatt, and Premier Inn, alongside new hotel openings like Mandarin Oriental, Ciel Dubai, and ZUHHA Island, have expanded accommodation options. Also, visa-on-arrival expansions for key markets support demand growth. Western Europe is Dubai's largest source market (~22%), followed by CIS/Eastern Europe and South Asia (~15% each). GCC, MENA, NE Asia, the Americas, and Africa also contributed significantly, reflecting Dubai's global appeal. Broader economic impact Tourism continues to underpin Dubai's economic expansion, contributing over 12% to GDP and supporting millions of jobs. In 2024, international spending in tourism topped USD 179.8 billion, while domestic travel contributed another USD 205 billion as per Khaleej Times. With hotel expansion underway, adding over 11,300 rooms by 2027 and creating 15,000 new jobs, Dubai is cementing its hospitality edge. Dubai's tourism trajectory remains robust, 9.88 million visitors in H1 2025 underscores its global draw. A perfect blend of world-class infrastructure, diverse attractions, international connectivity, and a strategic events calendar continues to make Dubai a magnet for travellers of all kinds. From high-end luxury to experiential travel, the city's growing appeal reflects its commitment to inclusivity, innovation, and sustainability.
Al Etihad
28-04-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Dubai becomes first Certified Autism Destination™ in Eastern Hemisphere
DUBAI (WAM) 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. This 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. 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). The 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 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 onsite 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 marked significant progress in inclusivity, with over 70,000 individuals receiving autism and sensory awareness training. This commitment 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. Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), said, '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." "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," he added. Myron Pincomb, IBCCES Board Chairman and CEO, said, '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.' Dubai International (DXB), which in December 2023 was recognised 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 programme. 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 Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC). Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said, 'At Dubai Airports, we are proud to support Dubai's journey towards becoming a Certified Autism Destination. 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." "Through our oneDXB community, we continue to work closely with our stakeholders across the airports to enhance accessibility, provide specialised training for frontline teams, and design environments that are supportive of people of determination, including those with hidden disabilities such as autism. As the world's busiest international airport, we recognise the importance of leading by example, and this milestone reinforces our dedication to making travel more compassionate and human-centric for all," he added. 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. Adel Al Redha, Deputy President, and Chief Operations Officer, Emirates, said, 'Emirates has been driving progress in accessible travel for several years, in a mission to make the travel experience more inclusive. 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. We continue to work hand in hand with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism to create lasting change, break barriers, and be recognised as a world leading accessible destination. We have a social and professional responsibility to facilitate the travel journey for our autistic passengers," Al Redha added. 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. Marjan Faraidooni, Chief of Education and Culture and Chief Human Resources Officer, Expo City Dubai, said, 'By becoming a Certified Autism Destination™, Dubai demonstrates the potential to succeed – and thrive – in travel and tourism when accessibility and inclusion are prioritised, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to experience all Dubai has to offer. Expo City Dubai is proud to have contributed to this city-wide effort." "Becoming a Certified Autism Center™ in 2024 was a milestone in our people-centric strategy to create an inclusive culture and environment for all who visit, live and work in Expo City, and we look forward to further collaborations and success stories as we progress on this journey," Faraidooni explained. 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. Alanood Al Hashemi, Vice President of Organisational Culture and Impact at Dubai Holding Entertainment, said, 'We are proud of Dubai Holding Entertainment's contribution to Dubai's recognition as a Certified Autism Destination. We are committed to making ongoing efforts to ensure our parks are accessible and enjoyed by as many people as possible, whether they are residents of Dubai or tourists. We look forward to welcoming families from around the world to experience our exceptional and inclusive entertainment spaces here in Dubai.' To further support inclusivity efforts, all certified locations in Dubai are being featured on the IBCCES Accessibility App, which is free to download. This app provides travellers with real-time guidance on certified destinations, sensory-friendly spaces, and tailored recommendations.
Arabian Business
10-04-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Al Maktoum International Airport
Al Maktoum International Airport The initiative supports Dubai's goal of becoming a Certified Autism Destination™ (CAD) Al Maktoum International Airport Trips from Dubai Airports expected to reach over 8 million by 2029; Projected revenue contribution of $680 million over five years Al Maktoum International Airport Al Maktoum International Airport maintains its position as the busiest airport for business aviation movements in the Middle East AB Majlis Griffiths revealed his plans to transform the air travel experience, with seamless transitions between city stations and automated airport formalities Abu Dhabi Airports UAE aviation sector sees continued growth in 2024 as airports expand and airlines grow Abha International Airport Saudi visa update, UAE petrol prices, Dubai real estate strategy, GCC airport upgrades and more of the top news stories this week Abha International Airport Countries across the Arabian Gulf have put airports at the heart of ambitious tourism plans Abu Dhabi Dubai real estate analysis, RTA announce new speed limits, Coldplay launch Abu Dhabi shows and more of the top news stories this week Al Maktoum International Sheikh Mohammed announces $2.7bn expansion for Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) at Expo City Dubai Al Maktoum International Private jet flights at Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (MBRAH) in Dubai South tipped to hit 18,000 this year Al Maktoum International Dubai's Al Maktoum International Airport to host MEBAA 2024 air show in December Al Maktoum International Emarat will supply Emirates with aviation fuel at Al Maktoum International Airport Al Maktoum International Al Maktoum International Airport is set to boost Dubai real estate, economy and tourism say experts Al Maktoum International Outstanding schools in Dubai, UAE petrol prices, a booming real estate market, rain and fog forecasts and more of the top news stories this week Al Maktoum International Airport Projects will include 'expanding capacity, new commercial partnerships, additional lounges, more transportation spaces and rearranging remote gate locations,' the report said, citing Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports Al Maktoum International Airport The tool analyses real-time data to predict future consumption of spare parts for maintenance works Al Maktoum International Airport Dubai South has seen a 22.8% increase in rental yields over the pas six months, with property valuations reaching AED211.4 million
