Bright Ideas in Travel 2024
"In 2023, Dubai International Airport (DXB) became the first international airport to receive the Certified Autism Centre designation issued by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), which offers certification for those working with people with autism. It’s a response to a large (and largely overlooked) need: according to the IBCCES, 32 million trips are taken annually by travelers with special needs, but in a 2019 survey given to parents of children with autism, 97% indicated they were not satisfied with current travel options. At DXB, passengers with autism can access an autism-friendly route to their gate, which includes priority check-in and security; other offerings for travelers with hidden disabilities include an Assisted Travel Lounge, opened in September 2024, with features like noise-reducing seating."
