Autism, also known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a condition mainly characterized by differences or difficulties in social communication and interaction. It can also include a need or a strong preference for predictability and routine, sensory processing differences (read: how a person interprets the 5 senses; they may, for example, not be able to tolerate scratchy labels in the back of a shirt, they may be particularly sensitive to loud noises, etc.), focused interests, or repetitive behaviors (rocking, organizing, etc.). (Thanks, Wikipedia!)
Through the years, the number of people diagnosed with autism has risen significantly, thanks to better screening and broader diagnostic criteria (i.e., what behaviors qualify for an official diagnosis). This isn’t just the tests to screen babies and children for being on the spectrum; adults who, thanks to autism awareness, suspected they had autism but were never formally diagnosed, have proactively had themselves tested and were also found to be on the autism spectrum.
The travel industry reacts
With more and more people now officially “on the spectrum,” the travel industry has taken some strides to make typical parts of traveling easier for those who have these various features of neurodiversity. They’ve worked with IBCCES (International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards).
From IBCCES:
The travel and entertainment industry is vital in helping individuals and families explore the world, make memories, and enjoy life’s experiences.
Yet, for millions of autistic individuals and their families, planning a vacation or even a simple outing can be a source of stress rather than joy. That’s where becoming a Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) plays a key role.
Autism certification by IBCCES ensures that organizations and staff members are trained to understand, communicate with, and better serve individuals with autism, sensory sensitivities, communication differences, and other cognitive differences. By becoming a CAC, your organization demonstrates a real commitment to inclusion, accessibility, and exceptional guest experiences.
Airports & airlines are becoming certified
Several airports around the world have partnered with IBCCES to become Certified Autism Centers. Among other staff training, planning, and activities, they host airport walk-throughs with neurodiverse people so that when the day comes to fly, the process will be that much more familiar.
In April 2025, Emirates became the first airline designated as an Autism Certified Airline™, with more than 30,000 cabin crew and ground staff trained to support customers with autism. Delta Air Lines soon followed.
Other airlines, such as JetBlue, United, American, and Southwest, offer accessibility programs but do not hold IBCCES airline certification.
What about hotels?
Travel, of course, is more than just getting from Point A to Point B. If someone on the autism spectrum is staying at a hotel, it’s always preferable to stay at a Certified Autism Center, which “recognizes organizations whose staff have completed autism-specific training and certification to better understand and improve outcomes when working with individuals on the autism spectrum.”
Happily, more and more hotels and resorts are working with IBCCES to become Certified Autism Centers. This means the hotel/resort in question has trained at least 80% of its forward-facing staff in autism and sensory differences through IBCCES.
More specifically, they’re taught:
…to better understand what autism is (and isn’t), how to empathize and understand how autistic individuals experience the world, communicate more effectively, and be aware of common sensitivities and concerns in a recreational environment.
Is there a list of hotels that are IBCCES certified?
There sure is.
In 2017, Beaches Resort became IBCCES’ first resort company to earn a Certified Autism Center (CAC) recognition. In 2019, they became the first resort company in the world to receive the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES)’ Advanced Certified Autism Center (ACAC) designation.
Since then, multiple other hotels and resorts around the world have worked to become autism-friendly.
Known for its indoor water parks, Great Wolf Resorts (the parent company of Great Wolf Lodge) partnered with IBCCES to offer a sensory guide for each slide, pool, ride, attraction, show, and activity found at Great Wolf Lodge.
Karisma Hotels & Resorts is the parent company behind accommodations from Nickelodeon, Margaritaville, Azul Beach Resorts, and more. The hotel group even has “autism concierges” at its properties; these are trained employees who can help travelers get the support and answers they need while on vacation. Karisma notes that its autism support is available to young and older guests with autism. It adds that its resorts have “completed a number of Autism Double-Checked Courses,” and that guest-facing staff receive designated training on autism. Additionally, visitors can fill out an “autism passport,” which will communicate to staff a person on the spectrum’s essential needs, sensitivities, and information.
In 2024, IBCCES gave Atlantis, The Palm, and Atlantis The Royal — both in Dubai — their CAC designations. That was especially sweet, since it meant Dubai became the first IBCCES Certified Autism Destination (CAD) in the Middle East. The city even has a designated “autism center” that provides information on local spots that are suitable for children on the spectrum.
What about U.S.-based brands that I may have points with?
Oh yes, there are some of those, too.
- Best Western
- Hilton (Canopy, DoubleTree, Embassy Suites, Hampton, Hilton, Home2 Suites)
- Hyatt (Hyatt Regency)
- IHG (Intercontinental)
- Marriott (Courtyard, JW Marriott, Renaissance)
- Wyndham
How to search the IBCCES registry
You can find them by going to this page of IBCCES’ website, which is their page where you can find entities that are registered (read: have received training and received CAC designation) with the organization.
Just put the major hotel brand of your choice (Marriott, Hyatt, etc.) under NAME and click SEARCH.
Final thought
The program is still relatively new, so there aren’t a bajillion hotels on the list yet. And of the ones that are, some can only be found in foreign countries. But over time, I suspect that will change.
And regardless, if you or a loved one are on the autism spectrum and are traveling to, I dunno, Mesa, AZ, you may decide to stay at the Courtyard by Marriott Phoenix Mesa, especially because they’re CAC certified.
It’s a good reference to have.
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