Dubai aims to become one of the world’s most accessible cities

In November 2019 Dubai (UAE) will be hosting various events concerning accessibility issues. The Dubai Accessible Tourism International Summit (DATIS), a new platform to help UAE move forward towards achieving its vision to become one of the world’s best and most-friendly countries for people with disabilities, especially in the field of tourism and travel, will start on November 5.

The Summit aims to highlight the challenges faced by more than 10 percent of the global population during their traveling and exploring as tourists in the cities across the world, and also to underscore the need to strengthen the legislation, infrastructure, and services that meet their rights, needs, and aspirations to discover the world comfortably.

According to Lonely Planet, 50 percent of people with disabilities will travel more frequently if appropriate facilities are available wherever they go. Studies show that about 88 percent spend vacation each year, while at least 54 percent of people with special access requirements avoid going to new places if they find it unavailable. Studies also suggests around 50 million people with special needs in the Middle East are looking forward to visit cities and tourist destinations that offer them services tailored to their needs.

The Summit will be held from November 5 to 6 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. It comes at a time when the UAE is moving forward with its efforts to become one of the best and most advanced countries in the world for providing services and facilities that enable people with disabilities to move around freely and enjoy the world of tourism and travel.

The Summit aims to shed light on the requirements and needs of people with disabilities when they are visiting tourist places and facilities such as hotels, resorts, airports, public transportation and communication, shopping centers, beaches, parks, and museums. Dubai is on track to achieve its vision of becoming a friendly destination for people with disabilities by 2020. All stakeholders in the emirate are working to reach this goal through the implementation of relevant laws and legislation and adapt smart solutions to provide the best services for this segment, especially in view of Dubai targeting 25 million tourists a year 2025. 

Airports, airlines, rail networks, taxis and other modes of transportation constitute the most important service facilities most-widely by the public, including those with special needs, who roam the world for business, tourism, medical or other important reasons. Thus, transportation facilities face challenges from this segment of passengers and looks forward to the full implementation of international laws and recommendations regarding the rights of disabled travelers and improving the quality of services provided by them.

Dubai will also host the International Air Transport Association (IATA) inaugural Global Accessibility Symposium, taking place from 5-6 November 2019. 
The IATA Global Accessibility Symposium furthers the commitment of the resolution on passengers with disabilities which was made at the IATA Annual General Meeting in Seoul in June 2019. The resolution aims to improve the air travel experience for the estimated one billion people living with disabilities worldwide by encouraging governments, airlines, airports, and stakeholders across the aviation industry to work together to ensure access to a safe, reliable and dignified travel experience.

Alexandre de Juniac, director general and CEO of IATA said: “The unanimous resolution by our airline members in June was a clear indication that the industry is committed to improving the air travel experience for passengers with disabilities. Air transport provides unparalleled opportunities and all travellers, no matter what their disability, deserve access to this freedom. Industry standards have made air transport accessible to passengers with disabilities for decades. But we recognize that more needs to be done to ensure the seamless journey that we owe our customers. The Global Accessibility Symposium marks a renewed and stronger dialogue between industry, advocacy groups, regulators and the travellers themselves. Together we will learn from one another and look to improve.”