One of the world’s leading champions of accessible travel has embarked on a once-in-lifetime trip to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah, highlighting that disabilities are no barrier to travel in the UAE.

Nadia Clarke, a remarkable young woman from the UK, uses a wheelchair and has spoken through a communication aid for more than 19 years, but has made it her mission to visit every destination on her adventure-travel bucket list, while encouraging other travellers with disabilities to do the same.

This month, in her role as the accessible travel ambassador for global homeworking company Travel Counsellors, Clarke has pursued her dream to experience the UAE, embarking on a 12-day, all expenses paid, action-packed adventure tour of the country, taking in the best of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah and ending her trip on a high note by attending the opening day of the Special Olympics World Games in the UAE capital on March 14.

Funded and organised by Travel Counsellors, utilising its global presence in Dubai, and supported by Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture & Tourism (DCT Abu Dhabi), Dubai Tourism and Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), Clarke’s tour included adrenalin-fuelled activities such as a desert safari, sailing and a trip to the Jebel Jais viewing deck, as well as visits to major cultural and leisure attractions, from Louvre Abu Dhabi and the historical Al Hosn Fort, to the spectacular Dubai Fountain show.

Accompanied by her two personal assistants, a sign language interpreter and Travel Counsellors’ UAE general manager, Maggie Bootsman, Clarke also met with representatives from all three destinations to share her vast accessible travel knowledge. They included key team members at leading Destination Management Company (DMC) Arabian Adventures, who helped organise a specially-adapted vehicle and sourced accessible hotel rooms throughout her visit.

Clarke also dropped into the Dubai Autism Centre and the Al Noor Centre for children with disabilities, providing her with an opportunity to inspire young people with aspirations to explore the globe, before visiting the Special Olympics – one of the world’s largest humanitarian sporting events and global movements, which empowers People of Determination with intellectual disabilities through the power of sport, ultimately creating a more inclusive society.

“Nadia’s trip has proven ground-breaking, showcasing the UAE’s credentials as an accessible travel destination as part of its wider accessibility strategy,” said Bootsman. “This is particularly fitting in 2019, which the UAE has declared ‘The Year of Tolerance’, encouraging the nation to embrace diversity and champion equality.”

Travel Counsellors CEO Steve Byrne said Clarke’s remarkable UAE tour reinforced the travel specialist’s commitment to accessible and inclusive travel and to educating its suppliers and industry stakeholders to embrace this ethos too.

“Of course, none of this would be possible without Nadia’s unbridled passion for travel and her determination to make the inaccessible, accessible,” he said. “She is not only our accessible travel ambassador, but a role model to other young people with disabilities around the world, encouraging them to pursue their dreams and ambitions and not let anything stand in their way.”

At the end of her visit, Clarke said: “I’ve travelled all around the world and the UAE has been the most accessible destination I have visited. I get nervous when I travel, but everyone I met during my stay put me at ease and made me feel extremely safe. Admiring the views from the top of the Burj Khalifa and sailing across the Arabian Gulf are two experiences I will never forget; I felt so free."

"Everyone I met during my trip was very understanding and disability aware. I felt welcomed into the Emirati culture and learned so much. Thank you to everyone in the UAE and to Travel Counsellors for giving me the opportunity to experience this amazing place.”

Ali Al Shaiba, acting executive director of Marketing and Communication, DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “Unity and inclusion are of crucial importance to Abu Dhabi and across the UAE as a whole, and we are proud to say that these values are a fundamental part of our values and culture. We are delighted that Nadia has chosen to experience the UAE as a whole and our extraordinary emirate of Abu Dhabi in particular, and hope her visit highlights our efforts to provide access to all segments of society and inspires others to also consider making the trip to the UAE.”

Haitham Mattar, the CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), said: “RAKTDA is committed to the vision of establishing accessible tourism products and practices in the emirate and we are inspired to see Nadia’s trip with Travel Counsellors offering an exciting and enriching experience in the adventure emirate of the UAE.” - TradeArabia News Service