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City will tap into billion dollar special needs tourism market

The First International Tourism Development Forum for People With Special Needs will be held on May 4, under the patronage of Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Department of Civil Aviation and Chairman of Emirates group. “The Arab world has lost billions of dollars due to lack of facilities for people with special needs,” said Shaikh Ahmed.

WHO statistics state that 10 per cent of the world’s population is disabled. The Arab world has more than 30 million disabled people, according to statistics.

The world over, disabled tourism is claiming space for itself by strength of sheer numbers. US citizens alone have spent S13.6 billion in trips in 2002. In the Caribbean, the number of specialised cabins for the disabled increased by 60 per cent in 1999-2000. And studies suggest that 50 per cent of disabled people worldwide would travel more if services were provided for them.

Ghassan Suleiman Amhaz, Senior Officer, Press Relations and Communication, Marketing and Corporate Communications Directorate, Department of Civil Aviation said, “Information has been put together since 1990s to make our heritage sites, shopping malls and public spaces more accessible.”

Speaking on the fun aspect of accessibility he said, “Some of the disabled can access the Wild Wadi. Tour groups are ensuring that safaris are accessible with special cars, camel riding is possible and two of the golf course are also equipped to handle disabled visitors.” Hotels such as J.W. Marriott, Al Bustan Rotana and Hyatt Regency, offer services required by the disabled and elderly. The Dubai Cruise Terminal, operated by DTCM, also offers facilities for the physically challenged and elderly.

Some of the needs of the disabled are: waiting halls close to airplane entrances, respectful reception by staff, appropriate seats on airplanes, suitable aisles in airport, duty free access, equipped taxi cars, spacious toilets, reachable sinks and sign language speaking assistants. Dubai airport is recommended internationally as equipped with disabled inclusive facilities.

There are desks dedicated to passengers with special needs. Electric carts are available to transport passengers to/from the new Shaikh Rashid Departures concourse; a dedicated lounge for disabled travellers is available in the Arrivals hall. There is a sign language attendant also available on request. The immigration department also has a special desk. Dubai Transport buses allow guide dogs.

Countries like Germany and Greece are offering special tours such as Tourism Without Barriers, which include activities like tandem bike trips, spa holidays mountain climbing. The world over universal design includes aspects like the automatic door-opener, curb cuts, clear visible signs, textured surfaces in and around the building. Of the persons using technical aids (crutches, canes, wheelchairs, etc.), wheelchair users often face the greatest barriers. Speaking on the need for adding more fun activities for the disabled, Ghassan Suleiman Amhaz said, “It is a simple case of demand and supply. As the demand increases there would be more fun planned.”

• UAE