A wide range of activities will take place during the 4th Accessible Travel and Tourism International Conference taking place in Dubai on 11th-12th January.

The event is held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airlines and Group.

The Conference is aimed at making all cities friendly to People of Determination and underscoring the need for strengthening legislations, policies, infrastructure, and services, especially in the areas of air, land, and sea transportation, in addition to accommodation and hospitality services, to meets their needs and help them discover the world with ease.

The Conference also aims to shed light on the challenges faced by about 1.3 billion people with Special Needs, according to the UN World Health Organisation (UNWHO) – 50 million of whom live in the Middle East region alone.

As part of the activities, the Conference will host a workshop organised by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) during the Conference, in the presence of officials and stakeholders, to inform them of the latest requirements and standards applied to provide services that meet the needs of people with special needs during travel.

The Conference is sponsored and supported by Emirates Airlines as the Official Airline, Dubai Economy and Tourism, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) as a Strategic Partner, as the Destination Partner, Dubai Duty Free as the Silver Sponsor and JW Marriott Marquis Hotel as the Official Host.

Several senior officials and experts from local government agencies like the Dubai Municipality, Roads and Transport Authority, and the Dubai Economy and Tourism, along with international organisations like the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), UNESCO, and Airports Council International (ACI-World), will speak at the Conference being organised annually by Nadd Al Shiba PR Event Management in Dubai.

In their speeches, the high-level speakers will address the experience of their countries and institutions and best practices leading to accessible tourism, friendly infrastructure, and various facilities and services in sectors such as hospitality, transportation, health, insurance, and communication, which take into account the requirements of different segments of people with needs.

Tourists and visitors of people of determination constitute a large tourist segment that spends billions of dollars annually, and they look forward to visiting cities that are more friendly and meet their needs while travelling, staying, moving, and visiting tourist destinations in these cities. The 50 million people of determination who live in the Middle East represent a promising opportunity to strengthen the tourism industry in the region and provide thousands of new job opportunities.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the patron of the Conference, said, “Dubai continues its efforts and initiatives to bring decision-makers and experts in the field of accessible tourism under one roof, fostering collaboration, sharing best practices, and showcasing to the world its exceptional efforts in supporting this significant segment of the local and international communities. It also highlights the achievements of the UAE as a leading country where people with disabilities are given special priority.”