Dubai has the opportunity to become yet another world leader by taking special needs tourism in Arabia to another level, according to Peter van Driessel, vice president of the Dubai Skal Chapter.

Skal is a professional organisation of tourism leaders around the world, promoting global tourism and friendship.

It is the only international group uniting all branches of the travel and tourism industry. Its members, the industry's managers and executives, meet at local, national, regional and international levels to discuss and pursue topics of common interest.

Driessel was speaking at the recently-concluded Fourth International Tourism Development Forum for People with Special Needs held under the patronage of Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum.

He pointed out that the regional tourism industry was expanding at a pace outracing all other similar developments in the world.

“As we continue to grow the tourism sector here in Arabia, it is not only important but crucial to address and cater for the needs and requirements of the disabled,” he said.
 
Ghassan Suleiman Amhaz of Dubai Airports said Arab tourism industry could generate a further $3 billion by extending facilities to an estimated 30 million people in the Arab world with special needs.

Van Driessel said: “We should investigate how all professional forces can be brought under one umbrella to communicate and work together to ensure that here too Dubai becomes a world leader.'

“In our pursuit of world-class development of the burgeoning tourism and hospitality industry, we believe strongly in playing a role in helping and supporting the extended society,' he observed.

“Throughout its history, Skal International, and now Skal Dubai, has been dedicated to establishing partnership relationships with its members and the industry. With its focus on the future, Skal will play an active role in creating awareness, initiating and supporting initiatives, such as this,” Van Driessel added.-TradeArabia News Service