People & News

Amsaan Accessible Tours To Showcase Inclusive Travel Tech With Dubai Tourism At AccessAbilities Expo 2023

Dubai, UAE - In a step to foster inclusive global travel, Amsaan Accessible Tours (AAT) has announced its participation in AccessAbilities Expo 2023, the largest event in the MENASA region that amplifies the voices, needs, and aspirations of People of Determination. This expo, supported by regional Government Authorities, is held from October 9 to 11 at the Dubai World Trade Centre and highlights the UAE's commitment to becoming the world's most inclusive and accessible destination.

AccessAbilities Expo 2023 champions inclusivity for the 50 million-plus People of Determination in the Middle East, promoting learning, networking, and emerging as a hub for accessibility technologies. Being an active participant alongside the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) in Dubai, AAT is utilising this platform to raise awareness about the unique challenges faced by Deaf travellers – from communication barriers to safety concerns – and how these challenges can be transformed into inclusive travel experiences.

Visitors will see informative videos, featuring content in both International and Arabic Sign Language, offering a vivid, visual exposition of Amsaan's offerings accessible to all. With a dedicated Deaf representative stationed at the booth, the company aims to directly engage with the Deaf community and their families to customise their technological solutions in tourism, form networks for collaboration and forge accessibility advocacy. This endeavour aligns with the vision of the UAE government and H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, to make the UAE one of the most inclusive destinations in the world.

The UAE government's active involvement in AccessAbilities Expo 2023 emphasizes its resolve to make the nation a beacon for accessibility and inclusiveness. Consistently ranked among the top 10 global tourist destinations, the UAE aims to inject AED 450 bn into its GDP through the National Tourism Strategy 2031, showing the need to prioritise inclusion to reach this goal.

Vitalii Mykhalchuk, Director of IT solutions for DEAF at AAT stated: "In the spirit of seamless, uninhibited travel for all, we are here to demonstrate that the world can be explored without limitations, even the 1.5 billion people worldwide whose daily life is affected by hearing loss. Our participation in the AccessAbilities Expo 2023 not only embodies our unwavering commitment to this mission but also stands as a testament to our innovative approach to uplifting and empowering the Deaf community in their global explorations."

Laura Sapega, a Deaf partner of AAT from the UK, attests to the transformational impact of AAT's services, "Traveling with Amsaan has not just been a journey through destinations but through experiences, cultures, and unbridled adventures, unmarred by the traditional barriers we, the Deaf community, have faced. It's a liberating and empathic stride towards global exploration that speaks our language – Sign Language."

Visit the Dubai Tourism stand, 6000, at AccessAbilities Expo 2023 to find out more about their pioneering efforts in inclusive travel.

For more information about Amsaan Accessible Tours visit https://amsaantours.Com/

About Amsaan Accessible Tours

Amsaan Accessible Tours is the first destination management company based in Dubai, whose primary mission is to foster an inclusive tourism ecosystem tailored to Deaf individuals and people with hearing loss. With a strong reputation in the industry, they are recognized for their expertise in accessible travel for the Deaf community and their profound knowledge of the region. Through strategic partnerships with B2B segments, the company offers a comprehensive range of services, including visa support, transportation assistance, an extensive selection of accessible hotels, and an enticing array of unique tours and excursions. Moreover, Amsaan Accessible Tours takes pride in curating captivating and personalised tour packages, providing travellers with unforgettable experiences.

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Chinese Airline And Travel Agencies Cancel Flights And Trips To Israel Due To Flare-up Of Tensions There

Chinese airline and travel agencies cancel flights and trips to Israel due to flare-up of tensions there

By

Tu Lei co-leads the Global Times biz desk. She also covers topics on civil aviation and logistics.

Tu Lei and Qi Xijia Published: Oct 09, 2023 12:49 PM

People wait in departing section at Ben Gurion Airport, Israel's only international airport, after many flights from abroad are cancelled due to the attacks launched by Palestinian factions in Tel Aviv.(Photo:VCG)

 Chinese airlines and travel agencies are cancelling flights and trips to Israel amid the escalated conflict there which flared up over the weekend.

China's Hainan Airlines, the only carrier in China with flights to Israel, told the Global Times that it has canceled flight between Shanghai and Tel Aviv, Israel, on Monday due to the ongoing high tensions there, and will adjust flight arrangements in line with security conditions on the ground. 

The airline has three direct flights between China and the country, which depart from Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, operating two flights each week on each route.

Information shared by the information provider VariFlight showed that the flight from Shenzhen to Tel Aviv on Tuesday was cancelled.

The move came after the escalated conflict there, as Israel's cabinet declared a "state of war" on Sunday on Hamas, in which at least 700 in Israel died while retaliatory Israeli airstrikes killed at least 413 in Gaza, reported Xinhua News Agency.

Chinese travel agencies interviewed by the Global Times said that they have no travel groups in Israel at the current stage, and have moved to temporarily cancel future trips.

"We have quickly screened all orders after the conflict, and as of now, our company has no tourists stranded in Israel," Tongcheng Travel told the Global Times on Monday morning. 

For travel groups planning to travel to Israel in October and November, the company has communicated with the tourists and has processed full refunds without loss. In addition, business work related to tourism in Israel has been temporarily suspended, the agency added. 

GZL International Travel Service told the Global Times that it decided to cancel all travel groups to Israel in October. It has two travel groups to the country in September, but both have since returned to China.  

Chinese travel agency Spring Tour also confirmed with Global Times that the company has canceled a 28-member tour to Israel that was scheduled to depart on Monday, given the current tensions there, and the following tour groups will be followed up in keeping to the notification from relevant departments and the actual situation on the ground.

China has expressed deep concern over the current escalation of tensions and violence between Palestine and Israel, and calls on relevant parties to remain calm, exercise restraint, and immediately end the hostilities to protect civilians and avoid further deterioration of the situation, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Sunday.

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