Makkah Clock Royal Tower, A Fairmont Hotel, has renewed its designation as a Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). This renewal reflects the hotel’s continued commitment to providing an elevated level of guest care for autistic individuals and those with sensory needs or sensitivities, ensuring consistent access to resources and staff trained in evidence-based strategies that enhance comfort, safety, and overall guest experience.
As one of the most recognized properties in the region and a central destination for millions of visitors each year, Makkah Clock Royal Tower’s renewed designation demonstrates its ongoing investment in operational excellence, staff readiness, and long-term institutional value. Through this initiative, the hotel continues to reinforce its position as a hospitality leader that prioritizes community trust, visitor loyalty, and exceptional service delivery at every guest touchpoint.
“We are proud to play an important role in welcoming people of determination, including autistic guests by supporting our working team through several training programs on how to communicate and operate with our guests, and providing every comfort they may require,” says Salem El-Shahrani, managing director at Makkah Clock Royal Tower, A Fairmont Hotel.
To maintain Certified Autism Center™ status, customer-facing staff successfully completed updated autism-specific training designed to equip them with tools that support confident service interactions and reduce service errors. The designation also includes access to continuous support and best practices from IBCCES to ensure the hotel remains future-ready as accessibility expectations evolve worldwide.
“The continued commitment shown by Makkah Clock Royal Tower is a powerful example of how accessibility drives both excellence and long-term value,” says Myron Pincomb, IBCCES CEO and board chairman. “By renewing its Certified Autism Center™ status, the hotel demonstrates leadership not only in guest care but also in operational strategy—strengthening community trust, enhancing brand reputation, and positioning itself as a benchmark for inclusive hospitality across the region.”
For more than two decades, IBCCES has been a leader in providing autism, sensory and neurodiversity training and certification for professionals worldwide, including those in healthcare, education, public safety, travel, and corporate sectors. As the only credentialing board offering these programs, IBCCES provides training from subject matter experts and autistic self-advocates, along with long-term support, continuous learning, onsite reviews, and renewal requirements to ensure continued growth and lasting impact.
To further support inclusivity efforts, Makkah Clock Royal Tower, A Fairmont Hotel is featured on the IBCCES Accessibility App™, which is free to download. This app provides individuals with a variety of disabilities real-time guidance on certified destinations, sensory-friendly spaces, and tailored recommendations. By connecting users to accessible locations worldwide, the app helps ensure seamless, enjoyable experiences for everyone.
IBCCES also provides access to resources such as AccessibiltyCertified.com and AutismTravel.com, free online tools for families that list certified locations and professionals. Each organization listed on the site has met IBCCES certification requirements.
About Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is where the intimate equally coexists with the infinite – an unrivaled portfolio of more than 80 extraordinary hotels where grand moments of life, heartfelt pleasures and personal milestones are celebrated and remembered long after any visit. Since 1907, Fairmont has created magnificent, meaningful and unforgettable hotels, rich with character and deeply connected to the history, culture and community of its destinations – places such as The Plaza in New York City, The Savoy in London, Fairmont San Francisco, Fairmont Banff Springs in Canada, Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai, and Fairmont The Palm in Dubai. Famous for its engaging service, awe-inspiring public spaces, locally inspired cuisine, and iconic bars and lounges, Fairmont also takes great pride in its pioneering approach to hospitality and leadership in sustainability and responsible tourism practices. Fairmont is part of Accor, a world leading hospitality group consisting of more than 5,200 properties and 10,000 food and beverage venues throughout 110 countries.
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About IBCCES
Delivering the global standard for training and certification in the fields of autism, neurodiversity, and accessibility – IBCCES provides a series of certification programs that empower professionals to be leaders in their field and improve the outcomes for the individuals they serve. For over two decades, IBCCES has been a global leader, setting the industry standard in autism and cognitive differences training. IBCCES works in over 111 countries and provides training in 8 languages, and its programs have been recognized around the world as the leading benchmark in training and certification.
In addition to individual certification programs, IBCCES partners with cities, destinations, and organizations on initiatives like the Certified Autism Destination™ (CAD) and Autism Certified City™ (ACC), ensuring autistic and sensory-sensitive residents and visitors feel welcomed and safe. Destinations that achieve the CAD designation have completed a specialized program that ensures a multitude of recreation, hospitality and entertainment organizations have completed an autism and sensory-sensitivity training, certification and IBCCES facilities review process. The ACC designation expands on that program and includes IBCCES training and certification for the public safety, education, healthcare and workplace sectors.
IBCCES also created the Accessibility App, AutismTravel.com, and AccessibilityCertified.com – free resources for individuals with a variety of neurodiversities and disabilities, listing certified locations and connecting individuals to other resources and each other.
