As part of its ongoing efforts to promote inclusive and sustainable tourism and support the integration of persons with disabilities, Qatar Foundation for Social Work announced the signing of a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Qatar Tourism. The MoU aims to support the inclusion of all segments of society within the tourism sector and to create more accommodating and comfortable environments for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families.

The MoU includes the launch of the “Autism-Friendly Spaces” initiative, led by Qatar Foundation for Social Work, as a pilot phase in one of the country’s hotels, in collaboration with Qatar Tourism as a strategic partner. This step represents an innovative approach toward empowering individuals with autism. The cooperation framework also includes the implementation of joint awareness initiatives, the development of specialised training programmes for tourism sector employees to enhance their understanding of diverse visitor needs, as well as the exchange of technical and advisory expertise.

In this context, Rashid Mohammed Al Hamda Al Naimi, CEO of Qatar Foundation for Social Work, affirmed that this initiative reflects the Foundation’s commitment to its role in advocacy and in promoting the rights of persons with disabilities, through the development of practical and innovative models that contribute to creating more inclusive and responsive environments, thereby enhancing their active participation across various aspects of life.
He added that the strategic partnership with Qatar Tourism represents a fundamental pillar for achieving sustainable impact by translating field expertise into practical applications that enhance quality of life, support the integration of all segments of society, and open new horizons for the development of joint initiatives with tangible outcomes.

For his part, Omar Abdulrahman Al Jaber, Head of Tourism Development Sector at Qatar Tourism, stated:
“The memorandum of understanding between Qatar Tourism and Qatar Foundation for Social Work represents an important step toward strengthening the concept of inclusive tourism in the State of Qatar. It reflects our continued commitment to constructive collaboration with various government entities to achieve a positive and sustainable impact. Through this partnership, we aim to develop and support qualitative initiatives, including the ‘Autism-Friendly Spaces’ initiative, contributing to enhancing the visitor experience and empowering all segments of society. We also reaffirm our commitment to embedding the principles of social responsibility and encouraging the tourism sector to adopt best practices that reflect the values of inclusivity and innovation, thereby supporting Qatar’s position as a leading and integrated tourism destination.”

This strategic partnership comes in line with the country’s directions toward promoting inclusivity and sustainability, reflecting the role of Qatar Foundation for Social Work in empowering and integrating various segments of society, in complementarity with Qatar Tourism’s efforts to develop a sustainable tourism sector that caters to the needs of all. The initiative also aims to encourage all entities operating within the tourism sector—including hotels, facilities, and service providers—to adopt similar practices that enhance the visitor experience and reinforce Qatar’s position as a leading global destination in inclusion and social innovation.