www. travel-impact-newswire.com The Dubai government says it plans to ensure that

 the US$ 100 billion
dollars worth of tourism projects emerging in the emirate cater to the needs
of disabled travellers, and has called on all its stakeholders to join in
the "creation of a society that cares". Noting that "we are all at some
point in our lives, disabled people," the government says that building a
vision for the future as a preferred tourism and business development centre
has to include a "future for the disabled as well".

Under the slogan "Tourism For All", the initiative was launched at the
Arabian Travel Mart 2005 which saw the convening of the First International
Tourism Development Forum for People with Special Needs in the Middle East.
While the philanthropic motive is strong, the profit motive is equally so.
Organisers say that sales of special equipment alone could total 300 million
dirhams (about US$ 82 million).

According to a report compiled by the World Bank, disabled people represent
10-20% of the total population in each country, or about 610 million
worldwide. This number is expected to rise due to wars, poverty,
insufficient health care, low birth rates and increasing senility. The
report pointed out that the number of people with special needs is estimated
at 40 million in Europe, over 54 million in US and 11 million in Russia.
[Please see more detailed statistics below].

Organisers cited figures estimating that the Arab world has about 30 million
disabled people, mostly victims of traffic accidents, health problems and
old age. They felt that the value of missed opportunities lost by Arab
tourism reaches $3 billion a year -- if only 10%, i.e. 3 million spent
approximately $1,000 per person on travel, the total spending would create
tens of thousands of jobs.

The forum was aimed at raising awareness among the industry about the need
to improve the interaction skills of front-line employees in airports,
airline companies, tourism companies, and shopping malls to deal with
individuals with special needs; sensitise construction and engineering
companies; and boost services provided to disabled people by airports,
airlines, hotels, parks trip organisers, shopping malls, taxi companies, and
car rentals.

Department of Civil Aviation President Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum
said that catering to people with special needs was a "gap which has to be
covered. This gap has tremendous social responsibility and economic
implications. We have to look into every aspect of the requirements and make
sure that the visitors are well looked after and satisfied. "

He said that although the Arab world has much to offer in terms of culture,
and heritage, invention and leisure centres, "lack of facilities for
individuals with special needs prevent them from enjoying it. I would like
to call upon all those involved in the travel and tourism industry to come
together and work as strategic partners. Hotels, travel agencies, airlines,
airports, shopping malls , public transport -- each one has its own
responsibilities. However, together we can achieve more."

Mohamed Ali Al Abbar, Chairman of Emaar Real Estate, said it was long
overdue that the requirements of people with special needs are debated
openly, overcoming social, cultural or religious barriers. He noted that
things should move faster now there is "a strong commitment from the top".
He recommended an annual benchmark, a specific plan of action and time
frames to chart progress. "When we are under pressure and benchmarked we
move faster than talking and committing," he said.

A senior official of Dubai municipality said building regulations were
designed to ensure a better environment for people with special needs. He
said the municipality has different regulations for public buildings,
commercial buildings, hotels and ramps and corridors. Some of the generic
regulations, he said, included the need for ramps with a proper sloping
ratio, reservation of 1.3% of the total parking space for the disabled, at
least one unisex toilet accessible to a wheelchair user and at least one
elevator designed according to the international standards.

As for the hotels, he said the municipal regulations applied to those of
three stars and above. Inspection trips conducted by municipal officials
indicated that most of the new emerging hotels in Dubai were up to speed.
One hotel, he said, had nine rooms designed for the disabled, as against the
regulatory requirement for at least 2-3 rooms. Other regulations included
properly designed bathrooms, emergency exits, handicapped car-park spaces,
sloping ramps, etc. "No permits are being issued for any building unless
these facilities have been provided according to our standards," he said.

The forum also heard from German-Iranian architect Yasmin Mahmoudieh who has
won numerous awards for the design of a number of disabled-friendly hotels
in Switzerland, Germany and across Europe, and is presently working on what
she said will be a 'spectacular project' in Dubai.

Ms Mahmoudieh said there can be 'no shortcuts' when it comes to designing
hotels for the disabled. Architects have to focus "more on the emotional
factor and atmosphere" and involve a lot of research for suitable materials,
lighting and colours. She said such hotels have to have proper furniture and
also cater to the fact that many people with special needs travel with
families who use  the normal facilities.