The 4th Accessible Travel and Tourism International Conference taking place in Dubai on January 11 and 12, is aimed at making all cities friendly to People of Determination, and shed light on the challenges faced by about 1.3 billion people with special needs, according to UN World Health Organization (UNWHO) – 50 million of whom live in the Middle East region alone.

It will be held under the patronage of His Highness 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, at the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel in Business Bay.

The conference will underscore 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 aspirations and help them discover the world with ease.

As part of the activities, the conference will host a workshop organised by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in the presence of officials and stakeholders from airlines and airports, 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 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 organizations like the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), UNESCO, and Airports Council International (ACI-World), will speak at the conference being organized annually by Nadd Al Shiba PR & Event Management in Dubai.

Among the speakers are His Royal Highness Prince Mired Raad bin Zeid Al-Hussein, President of the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Jordan, Amr El-Kady, CEO of the Egypt Tourism Authority, Evan Hall, CEO of Tourism Council of Western Australia, Salah Khaled, Director of UNESCO DOHA Office of Gulf States and Yemen, and Daniela Bas, former Director of the Division for Comprehensive Social Development, United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs and other senior officials and experts.

The 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.

The conference provides an opportunity for all stakeholders in the travel and tourism sector, such as airport staff, carriers, tourism and travel agents, hospitality services, tourist destinations and attractions, shopping centres and other destinations, to explore the opportunities offered by this industry, and work to support the country’s initiatives in this field.

His Highness 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."

His Highness added: "The UAE is on the path to becoming the world's best destination for tourism services, and I call for international efforts to ensure the provision of easily accessible tourism for over a billion people around the world."

Ghassan Suleiman, Secretary-General of the Conference, said: “The tourism industry needs more than ever to adopt the concept of accessible tourism that meets the aspirations of millions of people with Special Needs, from the moment they think about embarking on a tourist trip until the moment they reach the intended destination and return from it.

“This is based on the application of a series of relevant legislation, smart solutions and applications, and distinguished services in the transportation, hospitality, and communications sectors, and qualified human competencies, in order to continue growth and double the size of this industry in the coming years.

“Stakeholders in the travel and tourism chain need to work together to remove obstacles to travel, especially in light of international support for the rights of this segment to smooth movement.” – TradeArabia News Service