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Dubai to host accessible tourism summit from November 5

Dubai - The event will also shed light on the requirements and needs of the People of Determination.

In line with Dubai's vision to become one of the world's most disabled-friendly cities by 2020, the inaugural Dubai Accessible Tourism International Summit (DATIS) will take place on November 5 and 6 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
According to the organisers, the summit is aimed at "highlighting the challenges faced by more than 10 per cent of tourists in cities across the world, and also to underscore the need to strengthen the legislations, infrastructure and services that meet their rights, needs and aspirations to discover the world comfortably".
The event will also shed light on the requirements and needs of the People of Determinaiton (PoD) when they are visiting tourist places and when they use facilities such as hotels, resorts, airports, public transportation and communication, shopping centres, beaches, parks and museums.
"The participation of government officials, decision-makers and representatives of international organisations, as well as experts in the field of tourism, will make this event a global platform for sharing the thoughts, experiences and best practices and translating them into practice, giving people with disabilities the opportunity to get to the destination they want to explore at ease," said DATIS chairman Jamal Al Hai.
Al Hai noted that there are around 1.2 billion travellers globally and an estimated 10 per cent of them are people of determination. "If we put it into perspective, there are around 120 million travellers with special requirement and all cities in the world are competing to invite them for tourism," he told Khaleej Times.
He also cited a study by Lonely Planet that 50 per cent of the people of determination will travel more frequently if appropriate facilities are available wherever they go.
"At least 54 per cent of people with special access requirements avoid going to new places if they find it unavailable. Studies also suggest around 50 million people with special needs in the Middle East are looking forward to visit cities and tourist destinations that offer them services tailored to their needs," he noted.
"The summit takes forward the mission of enabling People of Determination enjoy the world of tourism. It is also a step towards moving further to determine what they require and help the tourism industry get the right strategies and programmes in place," Al Hai underlined.
Held under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, and organised by Nadd Al Shiba Public Relations and Exhibitions, some of the topics that will be discussed at DATIS are accessible transportation, experiences and challenges of PoD when travelling as well as technology and innovation to make tourism more accessible.
angel@khaleejtimes.com