Experts to address Middle East Forum for Accessible Tourism

Organised by Nad Al Sheba for PR and Events Management in association with Dubai Airports, Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Administration, the one-day forum has become an ideal annual platform for debating the issues of development and challenges relating to the Special Needs Tourism, especially in the Middle East region.

H.H Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chief Executive of Emirates Airlines Group, and Forum Patron, said:

"The support this forum has been getting since the past five years clearly reflects the eagerness in the Middle East to promote the destinations to People with Special Needs, for whom infrastructure and services have been developed at the airports, hotels, shopping malls and recreational facilities."

"Building on the progress we have made over the past four years, this year's Forum will further promote the cause of accessible tourism as a humanitarian initiative as well as Special Needs Tourism as a neglected but high-potential economic segment," he added.

His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), will be announcing the new services offered by the RTA to make Dubai more accessible friendly.

His Excellency Abdullah Rashid Al Suwaidi, Director General at the UAE Ministry of Social Affairs, will outline the social responsibility towards people with special needs for companies and individuals in the UAE. He will highlight the long-felt need to create an integrated platform for all NGOs in the country and foster volunteerism.

Mr. Dayton Lehman Jr., Principal Deputy Assistant General Counsel for Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings at the US Department of Transportation, will be speaking about the challenges facing all the airlines flying in and out of the US airports as a result of a new legislation effective May 13.

The newly-revised US Department of Transportation's Air Carrier's Access Act (ACAA) regulations prohibit discrimination in air travel on the basis of an individual's disability. As part of the new legislation, the carriers must appoint at least one Complaints Resolution Official (CRO) who addresses passenger complaints related to disabilities.

Adopted in May 2008, the revised ACAA rule applies to all US carrier operations and some non-U.S. carrier operations. Airlines are also required to ensure compliance from their vendors and contractors. The rule requires airlines to make accommodations for the use of portable oxygen concentrators and other respiratory assistive devices, as well as accommodations for deaf or hard-of-hearing passengers.

Dayton Lehman supervises a staff of nearly 40 attorneys, transportation industry analysts and support staff. The Enforcement Office monitors compliance with and investigates violations of DOT's aviation economic requirements, including that concerning consumer protection, civil rights and unauthorized operations involving US and foreign carriers, and provides the legal review for the licensing of new airlines.

Ann Frye, Advisor to the UK's Ministry of Transportation. She will be addressing the forum about the rights of passengers with special needs in the European legislation and transportation sector's best practices implemented in the UK. She will share information about the rights of passengers with special needs and best practices as implemented in the UK.

Since 2006, the European Commission has taken a number of initiatives in order to ensure a smooth phasing in of regulations concerning the rights of disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility when travelling by air. Her work included introducing and implementing the transport provisions of the Disability Discrimination Acts 1995 and 2005, developing and implementing a Race Equality Scheme for the Department and its Agencies.

Mr. Tony Chandler, Vice President of Airport Services at the Emirates Airlines, will be sharing knowledge about the services the Dubai-based carrier provides to customers with special needs.

The Middle East region is home to 35 million People with Special Needs. Experts believe, if 10% more of this huge chunk of population travel and spend approximately $1,000 per annum, this would result in $3bn business every year to the tourism industry.

Globally, the number of people with special needs is around 750 million. Tourists with special needs constitute around 10% of the total number of tourists in the world; they approximately spent over $28bn alone in the United States and Europe annually.

According to the World Tourism Organisation (WTO), the number of tourists worldwide will triple in size by 2020, with the Middle East region poised for spectacular growth. According to World Travel and Tourism Council's (WTTC), the Middle East accounts for 2.4% of travel and tourism market share globally.

WTTC statistics show that the tourism sector in the Middle East will contribute $189.5bn revenues by the end of 2016, which is equivalent to 10.1% of the region's GDP.