Always first with something new, this time once again, Dubai International Airport is gearing up to attract more than 600,000 special needs tourists this year. The Airport will soon open 20 check-in counters for people with special needs. The initiative aims at encouraging special needs tourism in the emirate which received more than 6.5 million hotel guests in 2006.  New investment on infrastructure is under way and enhanced services are being introduced to make the airport more user-friendly for tourists with special needs. 

The facilities include 20 dedicated immigration counters and a separate route for special needs travellers to go straight to the security lounge, avoiding the entire crowd.  This specially designated route will be equipped with ATM counters, refreshment counters and other facilities tailored only for people with special needs. It will make Dubai International Airport �"the most- friendly airport for special needs visitors�" in the Middle East.

Dubai has always encouraged such practices in the past and with the result, today, they are one of the most preferred destinations among visitors.   These facilities will encourage such travellers who normally have the phobia of taking care at the arrival lounge of the airports.  In 2005, the DCA had around 300,000 requests for wheelchairs at the airport. The figure rose to 400,000 last year and in 2007 it is expecting it to top 600,000.  The DIA will also have three additional car parking areas dedicated to people with special needs.