The recognition reinforces Centara’s growing reputation as a hospitality leader that integrates environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into both its operations and guest experience.

The report highlights organisations that are perceived to manage sustainability effectively, reflecting not only corporate commitments but also how these efforts are understood and valued by consumers. For Centara, this recognition signals a meaningful alignment between long-term ESG strategy and evolving guest expectations.

This year, Centara has netted strong results across all ESG categories. In environmental sustainability, Centara ranks third among Thai hotel brands and is in the top 5 among all Thai brands researched. In social and governance sustainability, Centara ranks second among perceived Thai hotel brands. Centara holds the second-highest governance perceptions of all Thai brands researched.

 Brand Finance Managing Director Asia Pacific Alex Haigh commented: “Centara’s performance in the Brand Finance Sustainability Perceptions Index 2026 reflects how effectively the brand is aligning its ESG commitments with what guests increasingly expect from modern hospitality. In a sector where sustainability continues to grow as a key driver of reputation and choice, Centara stands out for making responsible practices visible and meaningful across its guest experience.”

Sustainable luxury as an expectation, not an add-on

As travel trends evolve, sustainability has become a key factor in how guests choose where to stay, with growing expectations for responsible practices alongside comfort and service. In response, Centara has embedded sustainability into its core brand experience—particularly in its upper-tier offerings—integrating environmental responsibility, cultural sensitivity, and community engagement into the guest journey.

This approach is reflected in the Centara Reserve brand, where personalised service, refined design, and thoughtful sustainability practices come together to create a more conscious form of luxury. The upcoming Centara Reserve Krabi, set to open in December 2026, will further bring this philosophy to life—demonstrating how elevated hospitality can coexist with responsible development and operations.

From commitment to measurable action

A structured, data-driven ESG approach underpins Centara’s sustainability journey. Across its portfolio, the group continues to implement initiatives to reduce environmental impact, improve operational efficiency, and strengthen long-term resilience.

Energy management remains a key focus, with multiple properties adopting energy-efficient systems, smart building technologies, and renewable energy solutions. Water conservation and waste reduction programmes are also being actively implemented, alongside a broader commitment to eliminating single-use plastics.

At the corporate level, Centara continues to strengthen its ESG governance framework, ensuring transparency, accountability, and measurable progress across all areas of operation.

Bringing sustainability to life across key properties

Centara’s commitment to sustainability goes beyond policy and is reflected across its hotels and resorts in Thailand and beyond. In Bangkok, Centara Grand at CentralWorld serves as a flagship example, integrating energy-efficient systems, waste management, and smart operational practices to reduce its environmental footprint.

Across its resorts, Centara implements water recycling, reduces single-use plastics, and supports local communities. At the same time, in coastal and island destinations, the group focuses on marine conservation, responsible sourcing, and eco-conscious design to minimise environmental impact.

 “We believe that the future of hospitality lies in delivering meaningful experiences that are not only memorable but also responsible. From our urban hotels to our resort destinations, and especially within our luxury brand – Centara Reserve, we are committed to ensuring that sustainability and exceptional service go hand in hand. This is how we build long-term trust with our guests, our partners, and the communities we serve and we live in,” said Centara Hotels & Resorts Chief Operating Officer Michael Henssler.

Looking ahead: Strengthening trust through transparency

As sustainability becomes a key driver in travel decisions, Centara is focused on making its ESG efforts more visible and meaningful to guests—bridging the gap between performance and perception through storytelling and on-property experiences.

With a growing international portfolio, the group is well-positioned to lead the next phase of sustainable hospitality in Thailand and across Asia, delivering long-term value through responsible growth, operational excellence, and guest-focused innovation.

See more of the sustainability initiatives and achievements of Centara Hotels & Resorts here.

(Source: Your Stories — Centara Hotels & Resorts)

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This historic achievement marks the first time both a venue in Thailand and a Thai individual have received this honour, placing Fitz Club among an elite group of just nine venues worldwide to earn this distinction. 

The award recognises venues that deliver exceptional, professionally run tournaments and provide an experience that exceeds expectations. It is based on player satisfaction, seamless tournament operations, and the event’s overall quality. Evaluations draw on player feedback surveys, tournament supervisor reports, and scores, as well as ITF Masters committee assessments — reflecting consistently high standards across all areas.

This success is driven by the vision and passion of Royal Cliff’s CEO, Vitanart Vathanakul, whose commitment to tennis extends well beyond leadership. As an active ITF Masters Tour player and MT400 champion, he achieved a career-high world ranking of No 96 in the 35+ category — bringing invaluable player insight into creating a truly athlete-focused tournament experience.

For the past eight years, Fitz Club Pattaya has proudly hosted ITF Masters tournaments, continually improving its facilities and fine-tuning every aspect of the experience. From world-class courts and highly attentive event organisation to exceptional hospitality, accommodation, and attention to detail, the venue has earned outstanding praise from players—many of whom return year after year.

This recognition reflects the team’s unwavering commitment, determination and continuous improvement. It stands as a proud milestone for Fitz Club, reinforcing its position as a leading international tournament venue and its dedication to delivering world-class experiences. The team now looks forward to welcoming tennis players and sports enthusiasts from around the world to experience this excellence first-hand.

Fitz Club – Racquets, Health & Fitness, the elite sports centre under the Royal Cliff banner, continues to reinforce its status as a premier sports destination for professional and recreational athletes. The centre has welcomed world-class talent over the years, including former ATP stars such as Nikolay Davydenko, Mikhail Youzhny, Dmitry Tursunov, Paradorn Srichaphan, Danai Udomchoke, and Denis Istomin, all of whom have trained on its courts engineered to mirror the playing conditions of the Grand Slam Open. With a long-standing legacy in competitive sports, Fitz Club has proudly hosted numerous high-profile events, including prestigious Junior and Senior Tennis tournaments, Squash championships, and Table Tennis competitions. This rich history underscores its reputation as one of Thailand’s most established sporting venues. Continuing its commitment to excellence, Fitz Club has further expanded its offerings with upgraded facilities for pickleball, futsal and basketball, making it a comprehensive hub for multi-sport athletes and families alike.

For more information on the Royal Cliff Hotels Group and Fitz Club, visit www.royalcliff.com  and www.facebook.com/fitzclub  

(Source: Yours Stories — Royal Cliff Hotels Group)

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In recent weeks, the airline has progressively resumed services across the Americas, Europe, Africa, West Asia, the Middle East/GCC, the Far East, and Australasia.

As of Monday, 4 May, the airline operates to 137 destinations across 72 countries, with over 1,300 weekly frequencies, representing 75% of pre-disruption capacity. The airline is offering more flights, more seats and more options each day while reaffirming Dubai’s position as a vital hub through which global travel moves.

Even as it operated with a reduced schedule, Emirates carried 4.7 million passengers* during the disruption, a testament to the enduring demand for travel and the trust that travellers continued to place in the airline to get them where they needed to go.

Wherever Emirates customers choose to fly, they can expect a best-in-class onboard and on-ground experience, defined by exceptional comfort, genuine hospitality, and a level of service that has set the standard for long-haul travel. 

Onboard, customers enjoy a unique culinary experience, with regionally inspired, multi-course menus developed by a team of award-winning chefs and complemented by a wide selection of premium beverages. Emirates’ award-winning ice inflight entertainment system offers more than 6,500 channels of the best global content in almost 40 languages, including movies, TV shows, music, podcasts, games, audiobooks and more, ensuring there is no such thing as a long flight.

And for those who need to stay connected, high-speed Wi-Fi keeps customers reachable at 40,000 feet. Emirates now has Starlink connectivity live on 28 aircraft, delivering ultra-fast, reliable internet in the air.

Enjoy flexible travel and rewards

Emirates is giving customers more reasons to travel with confidence with flexible rebooking, Dubai Connect stopover experiences and enhanced Skywards benefits:

• Flexible bookings: Customers booked from 2 April enjoy added flexibility, with one free date change included across all cabin classes. Customers who have booked with Emirates can also hold a fare for 24 hours free of charge.
• Dubai Connect: For customers with extended transit times in Dubai from six to 26 hours, Emirates’ Dubai Connect programme turns a long layover into a comfortable stopover, courtesy of the airline. Eligible customers will enjoy complimentary hotel accommodation at a four or five-star property, airport transfers, meals, and, where required, a UAE entry visa. Available to passengers in all cabin classes with qualifying connection times, Dubai Connect can be booked up to 12 hours in advance via Manage Your Booking on emirates.com. Terms and conditions apply.
• Skywards: From 1 May to 31 August 2026, Emirates Skywards members can enjoy accelerated access to the programme’s premium tiers through reduced tier requirements and Bonus Tier Miles on Emirates and flydubai flights.

*Between 1 March and 30 April

For more information about the airline or to book a flight, visit www.emirates.com. 

(Source: Your Stories — Emirates)

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Located in the heart of this scenic city and surrounded by rolling hills, blooming gardens and the fresh air of Vietnam’s Central Highlands, Imperial Dalat Hotel, BW Premier Collection, offers convenient access to major landmarks and attractions such as Da Lat Market, Xuan Huong Lake, and Con Ga Church. Seamlessly blending modern international hospitality with authentic Indochine elements, this upscale hotel is poised to become one of the city’s most prestigious destinations for staying, meeting and dining.

The hotel features 402 contemporary rooms and suites, including family-friendly connecting options, each equipped with state-of-the-art amenities, local design accents and views of the city or surrounding highlands. 

Guests can enjoy a year-round heated swimming pool, a fully equipped fitness centre, and rejuvenating spa treatments, while younger travellers are entertained at the kids’ club. Dining options span an all-day restaurant serving fresh Vietnamese specialities and Western favourites, a speciality Japanese restaurant, a stylish lobby lounge, a beer garden, and a cigar lounge. For meetings and events, two meeting rooms and a grand ballroom, capable of seating up to 1,200 guests, provide an inspiring backdrop for corporate conferences, gala dinners, and unforgettable weddings.

Imperial Dalat Hotel, BW Premier Collection is situated alongside Best Western Premier Imperial Dalat, which opened in late 2025, further strengthening BWH Hotels’ presence in the city.

All stays are underpinned by the distinctive standards of BW Premier Collection, BWH Hotels’ exclusive portfolio of properties designed to reflect the unique character of their destinations. Guests can also benefit from Best Western Rewards®. This award-winning loyalty programme is free to join, offering exclusive benefits and points that never expire and can be redeemed for rewards including free room nights, airline miles, and gift cards.

“Vietnam is one of the world’s most dynamic tourism and hospitality markets, and we are delighted to continue our rapid nationwide expansion with the launch of another exceptional hotel in Da Lat,” said  BWH Hotels Vice President-APAC Olivier Berrivin. “As growing numbers of international travellers and affluent domestic guests are drawn to the ‘City of a Thousand Flowers,’ we are proud to offer a choice of stylish upscale hotels that combine local charm and warmth with the unparalleled service standards of BWH Hotels.”

Imperial Dalat Hotel, BW Premier Collection, is the second BW Premier Collection property in Vietnam and across Southeast Asia. With this addition, BWH Hotels now operates seven hotels and resorts throughout Vietnam, including destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, and Da Lat, with many more developments in the pipeline.

To book a stay with BWH Hotels in Asia, visit bestwesternasia.com. 

(Source: Your Stories — BWH Hotels)

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The Emirates A380 was one of the first commercial aircraft in the world to offer internet to its customers, with first-generation systems offering a total aircraft bandwidth of less than 1 Mbps. Emirates’ installation of three Starlink antennas on each A380 will improve the Wi-Fi available onboard a thousand-fold, offering a ‘better than at home’ connectivity experience for customers while flying at 40,000 feet.

The first Emirates A380 aircraft equipped with Starlink returned to Dubai this week, after installation and certification were completed in Newquay, UK. With more A380s scheduled for accelerated installation throughout 2026, Emirates customers will soon enjoy a transformative leap in onboard connectivity, enabling them to stream, game, browse, and work throughout their journey on personal devices. The service will be complimentary for all customers across all cabins, with easy sign-up and access. Future enhancements will include Live TV streaming over Starlink, initially on personal devices and later integrated into seatback screens.

From its celebrated Onboard Lounge to its signature First Class Shower Spa, the Emirates A380 has consistently redefined long-haul travel, beloved by customers from all corners of the globe. With the addition of Starlink’s seamless connectivity across all cabin classes, the Emirates A380 experience evolves once more, delivering a fully connected journey in the sky.

A technical first for the world’s largest passenger aircraft

As the world’s largest passenger aircraft, the A380 presents unique engineering challenges and opportunities. This industry-first Starlink configuration is designed to meet the demands of the A380’s ‘double-decker’ layout and high passenger capacity. It is capable of delivering more than 2 Gbps of total aircraft bandwidth across the cabin.

Compared with the Emirates Boeing 777, the Emirates A380 features additional wireless access points and a third antenna to deliver an enhanced connectivity experience for its higher passenger capacity. Optimised inter‑deck integration supports a seamless Wi‑Fi experience, with customers able to enjoy high speeds depending on usage and device capability.

Accelerated rollout across an industry-leading fleet

Starlink installations will soon begin at Emirates Engineering facilities in Dubai to accelerate deployment across the fleet. Emirates is committed to delivering the best possible connectivity across its entire fleet at the earliest opportunity, with 25 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft already equipped with Starlink and the first A380 now in service.

So far, more than 650,000 Emirates customers have already flown on Starlink‑equipped flights, experiencing the benefits of next‑generation onboard connectivity firsthand.

Emirates continuous investment in elevating customer experience

The introduction of Starlink on the A380 builds on Emirates’ ongoing investment into redefining the customer journey, including one of the most ambitious retrofit programmes in aviation history. To date, 93 Emirates aircraft have been fully refurbished, featuring the installation of the widely acclaimed Premium Economy cabins, an enhanced Business Class, refreshed First Class suites, upgraded interiors and finishes in Economy Class and throughout all aspects of the cabin, and expanded and upgraded inflight systems that can offer more than 6,500 channels of entertainment.

To complement the significant upgrades across all hardware, Emirates continues to invest in its training programmes and facilities, which are instrumental to the customer experience. In mid-2025, Emirates opened a USD8 million facility — ‘Centre of Hospitality Excellence’ to train its 25,000 cabin crew in the art of hospitality onboard – bringing together both the tangible and intangible elements of an outstanding travel experience.

For more information on the airline or to make a booking, visit: www.emirates.com.

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As the country continues to diversify beyond traditional leisure travel, the destination welcomed a record 2.25 million international visitors in 2025, underscoring its global appeal and creating new opportunities to expand into niche MICE segments, including incentive travel, curated group experiences, and small corporate gatherings. Feydhoo Hall has been developed to cater to this shift.

At the centre of the new event complex is Feydhoo Hall, a 390 sq m multifunctional venue designed to accommodate a wide variety of event formats. The space can host up to 300 guests in theatre-style configuration, 240 guests for banquet events, 200 guests for cocktail receptions, and 144 guests in cluster-round seating, providing flexibility for conferences, weddings, and social celebrations alike.

Complementing the main hall is a collection of integrated event spaces that enable organisers to design dynamic, immersive programmes. The 110 sq m Veranda Terrace offers a relaxed setting for welcome receptions, networking sessions, or breakout discussions. In contrast, the expansive 1,000 sq m event lawn provides a striking open-air backdrop for sunset ceremonies, gala dinners, and large-scale celebrations, accommodating up to 400 guests for cocktail events and 350 guests for banquet-style occasions.

For smaller gatherings, the 55 sq m Ekugai Meeting Room provides an intimate, focused environment ideal for executive meetings, strategy sessions, or workshops, hosting up to 30 guests in theatre or dining layout, and 24 guests in cluster-round configuration.

Together, these interconnected spaces allow planners to craft multi-dimensional programmes that balance productivity with memorable destination moments, reflecting a growing preference for events that combine structured agendas with the appeal of an island setting.

“Feydhoo Hall reflects our vision to support the continued evolution of the Maldives as a destination for experiential gatherings and celebrations,” said dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives General Manager. Yogeswaran Veerasamy. “We are seeing growing interest in destination weddings, creative retreats, and boutique conferences where the setting plays as important a role as the programme itself. This new venue allows us to meet that demand while maintaining the vibrant lifestyle energy that defines the dusitD2 brand.”

For event guests wishing to stay at the resort, dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives offers 127 contemporary villas across seven categories, ranging from 77 to 306 sq m, each blending modern comfort with tropical island charm. Most feature open-plan interiors, expansive outdoor decks, and private plunge pools.

Guests also enjoy access to a wide range of all-inclusive leisure and wellness experiences, including the signature Namm Spa, a multi-court sports centre, and several distinctive restaurants and bars such as Midi, the Mediterranean-inspired beach club, Soi, showcasing modern Thai flavours, The Cocoon, a lively café-bar concept, and Baravelli, the resort’s all-day dining venue.

For more information, visit: dusit.com/dusitd2-feydhoo-maldives

(Source: Your Stories — Dusit Hotels & Resorts)

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Scheduled for 23 to 26 March 2028 in Kuching, in conjunction with World Tuberculosis Day, the conference is expected to attract over 1,000 delegates from across the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, generating an estimated total economic impact of MYR8.2 million. It will be the first time APRC is hosted in Borneo and the second time in Malaysia since Kuala Lumpur in 2007. 

Tuberculosis remains one of the world’s most urgent public health challenges, driven by the rise of drug-resistant strains, delayed diagnoses, treatment adherence gaps, persistent stigma, and unequal access to healthcare. Across the Asia-Pacific, the diversity of healthcare systems further complicates coordinated control efforts. 

In Sarawak, efforts to strengthen early detection and access to care are already underway, including the adoption of portable handheld X-ray technology by the Bintulu Divisional Health Office to enhance tuberculosis screening, particularly in reaching underserved and remote communities. However, scaling these efforts across the region requires stronger collaboration, innovation, and knowledge exchange.

APRC 2028 will respond to this need by bringing together global and regional leaders to accelerate practical solutions in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, while strengthening partnerships across borders and sectors.

“APRC 2028 directly supports Sarawak’s Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030, where healthcare is not only about treatment, but about equity and inclusion. The Sarawak government’s support towards APRC 2028 is our commitment to ensuring that Sarawak’s healthcare system is inclusive, accessible, and leaves no one behind,” said 

Deputy Premier and Minister of Public Health, Housing, and Local Government, Sarawak, Datuk Amar Prof Dr Sim Kui Hian.

“Better prevention and control of tuberculosis and other lung diseases require strong collaboration between government, academia and communities to improve access, strengthen awareness, and build trust. This is critical in addressing stigma, ensuring people feel safe and supported to seek early diagnosis and treatment.” 

“We want to bridge science, policy, and practice for a tuberculosis-free future and better lung health for all, hence the APRC 2028 will feature a large-scale programme with workshops, plenaries, symposiums, and community outreach sessions to include all segments of society. We believe that everyone – government, associations, industry, academia and local communities – can be advocates for a tuberculosis-free future,” said the Organising Chairman of APRC 2028 and member of the Malaysian Association for the Prevention of Tuberculosis (MAPTB), Prof Dato Dr Abdul Razak bin Abdul Muttalif.

“Winning APRC 2028 reflects Sarawak’s growing reputation as the legacy capital of business events in Malaysia and Borneo,” said Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) Acting Chief Executive Officer Jason Tan Chin Foo. “With strong government backing under the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 and BESarawak’s legacy framework, we are committed to ensuring that APRC 2028 delivers meaningful legacy outcomes. By convening global experts and stakeholders, the conference will catalyse advancing solutions to critical health challenges, particularly tuberculosis, while contributing to long-term development goals aligned with national priorities and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.” 

APRC 2028 is organised by the Malaysian Association for the Prevention of Tuberculosis (MAPTB) in collaboration with the Sarawak State Health Department, Malaysian Thoracic Association, the Anti-Tuberculosis Association of Sarawak (ATAS), and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS). APRC 2028 is supported by the Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, Sarawak and Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak).

For more information on events in Sarawak, visit: Business Events Sarawak. 

(Source: Your Stories — BESarawak)

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Available for just six days, from 22 to 27 April 2026, exclusively on dusit.com, with early access for Dusit Gold members from 22 to 24 April, the offer provides exceptional value across a curated collection of participating Dusit properties in Guam, Malaysia, the Maldives, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.

From island escapes such as Dusit Thani Maldives, dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives, Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket, and Dusit Thani Lubi Plantation Resort in the Philippines, to beachfront retreats including Dusit Thani Hua Hin, Dusit Thani Pattaya, and Dusit Thani Guam Resort, as well as city stays like Dusit Princess Melaka, Dusit Thani Laguna Singapore, ASAI Bangkok Chinatown, Dusit Princess Chiang Mai, and Dusit Thani Manila and dusitD2 Davao in the Philippines, and mountain escapes such as dusitD2 Khao Yai in Thailand, guests can enjoy up to four complimentary nights when booking stays of up to eight nights, for stays from 22 April to 20 December 2026.*

How ‘A Night on Us’ works

·   Pay for 1 night, stay for 2

·   Pay for 2, stay for 4

·   Pay for 3, stay for 6

·   Pay for 4, stay for 8

By booking directly, guests not only maximise value but also gain access to Dusit’s full suite of personalised services and exclusive offers.

Dusit Gold membership is complimentary and can be activated at dusit.com/signup, unlocking benefits including preferential room rates and dining offers.

For full details, visit dusit.com/a-night-on-us.

*Terms and conditions apply.

(Source: Your Stories — Dusit Hotels & Resorts)

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This recognition reinforces the resort’s continued focus on delivering a considered and immersive stay, where design, service, and culinary experiences are aligned to create a seamless sense of place.

Set along the shoreline of Samui Island, Centara Reserve Samui combines contemporary architecture with natural surroundings, allowing open space, light, and landscape to shape the guest experience. Each element — from accommodation and dining to wellness and service — is designed to operate with clarity and restraint, rather than excess.

The Readers’ Choice Awards by DestinAsian reflect the preferences of experienced travellers, recognising properties that consistently deliver quality, attention to detail, and a strong sense of identity. Being named among Thailand’s leading resorts underscores Centara Reserve Samui’s position within the region’s evolving luxury hospitality landscape.

At the centre of the experience is a commitment to thoughtful hospitality – where service is intuitive, environments are carefully composed, and each stay is shaped to feel both effortless and considered.

This latest accolade strengthens Centara Reserve Samui as a destination for travellers seeking a more measured and refined expression of timeless island living.

About Centara
Centara Hotels & Resorts is Thailand’s leading hotel operator. Its 90 properties span all major Thai destinations plus the Maldives, Vietnam, Laos, Japan, Nepal, Oman, Qatar and the UAE. Centara’s portfolio comprises six brands – Centara Reserve, The Centara Collection, Centara Grand, Centara, Centara Life and COSI Hotels – ranging from luxury island retreats and upscale family resorts to affordable lifestyle concepts supported by innovative technology. 

Find out more about Centara at www.CentaraHotelsResorts.com. 

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With more than 250 families positively impacted, Emirates Travel Rehearsals are designed to support children and young adults with autism by allowing them to practice the journey through the airport to prepare for real flights — easing travel anxiety and empowering them to fly with greater confidence.

After the initial Emirates Travel Rehearsals in Dubai received positive feedback from families, schools and autism organisations, the Emirates Office of Accessibility & Inclusion developed the travel rehearsal into an official programme to be rolled out across its global network.

Since April 2025, Emirates’ Airport Services teams have come together to arrange more than 40 of these travel rehearsals across airports like Accra, Athens, Bali, Bangalore, Barcelona, Bologna, Brussels, Cairo, Christchurch, Da Nang, Delhi, Dubai, Dublin, Durban, Düsseldorf, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Harare, Hong Kong, Istanbul, London, Luanda, Madrid, Mauritius, Milan, Newcastle, Nice, Orlando, Oslo, Paris, Peshawar, Port Luis, Rome, Stansted, Stockholm, Sydney, Toronto, Trivandrum, Venice and Vienna.

More than 35,000 Emirates staff have been trained to support customers with autism and can help facilitate travel and Travel Rehearsals. Emirates teams work very closely with airport authorities and partners to make sure each rehearsal is a supportive and successful experience for the families.

Emirates Airport Services Outstation & Business Support Senior Vice President, Sami Aqil Abdullah commented: “The Emirates Travel Rehearsal programme has been a resounding success across six continents, with impressive collaboration and drive shown by all stakeholders, from our own Emirates teams to our airport partners, and the parents and teachers who trusted us to support their children. We will continue to amplify this success with more locations, more teams involved, and more families positively impacted and empowered to fly with confidence.”

What is an Emirates Travel Rehearsal?

As the world’s first autism certified airline, Emirates is aware that for many families, international air travel is a highly challenging experience, or something to be avoided completely due to the high level of sensory stimuli that is involved. A survey on AutismTravel.com revealed that 78% of families are hesitant to travel or visit new locations for these reasons. For many people with autism, planning and predictability are critical – and an airport represents a world of unknown processes and stimuli.

Emirates Travel Rehearsals are a purposeful community collaboration and learning exercise arranged by Emirates, with the support of international airport teams, Border Control and Security teams, and schools and centres for autism across the world. The travel rehearsals empower neurodivergent people to participate in a real-time journey through the airport, practising the actions of checking in, dropping baggage, going through immigration and security, and experiencing the hustle and bustle of retail and dining areas. While familiarising themselves with the airport, participants are also issued mock boarding passes and given the chance to meet the many uniformed staff encountered along the way. In some airports, Emirates’ teams managed to arrange access to real aircraft for the children and young adults.

Positive feedback from participants

Now on an international level, parents, therapists, teachers, young adults, and children involved in the travel rehearsals so far have reported to Emirates that the experience has been invaluable in helping them have a safe and successful flight, by offering the comfort of preparation and familiarity, as well as trained staff to support.

Emirates will continue to arrange Travel Rehearsals across its global network throughout 2026, inviting more schools and centres to participate.

For more information on flights and to book, visit www.emirates.com.

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