Inclusive Tourism for Travelers on the Autism Spectrum

Autism Society Philippines’ Chair Emerita Dang Koe talked about inclusive tourism for travelers on the autism spectrum during the World Tourism Day 2022 Conference. Said conference was held last September 29, at the Manila Hotel, Manila, Philippines.

ASP Chair Emerita shared during the conference how families prepare
their children on the spectrum before traveling to address the autism challenges. Photo credit: DOT

Dang shared with participants from tourism associations and various academic institutions the challenges of families traveling with their loved ones on the spectrum. She summed up into two main points the ASP’s recommendations for happy tourists on the spectrum: establishments and their well-trained staff who accept and accommodate the needs of their guests on the spectrum, and accessible information available for the family before and during the tour destinations.

Aside from travelers on the autism spectrum, the panel discussion on Inclusive Tourism included
presentations for travelers with physical disabilities and DOT's Barrier-Free Tourism program. Photo credit: DOT

The Department of Tourism (DOT), through the Office of Tourism Development Planning, Research and Information Management (OTDPRIM), hosted the hybrid WTD 2022 Conference which featured a variety of local and international multi-stakeholder speakers and industry experts. Discussions were focused on "Rethinking Tourism as a Key Element of Recovery".

Tourism associations and various academic institutions, including faculty members
and students attended the conference onsite, while others were online. Photo credit: DOT

DOT OIC-Undersecretary Verna Buensuceso represented
DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco during the conference. Photo credit: DOT

DOT also partners regularly with the ASP in their ongoing sensitivity training for Barrier-Free Tourism. Since 2021, 16 batches of tourism frontliners from DOT National, NCR, Regions 1,2, 6 and 10 have participated in ASP’s Autism Sensitivity and Response Training. Another 5 batches from DOT NCR are scheduled from the end of October to early November.

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