Visit Mesa (Arizona) is the US first-ever destination marketing organisation designated as a ?Certified Autism Center? by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES).
This distinction is given after the organisation's staff and governing board of directors completed a training to help families and individuals with special needs prepare for their vacation.
Marc Garcia, president & CEO of Visit Mesa, said "Visit Mesa is thrilled to be a national leader in the visitor industry and invest in training to better serve individuals with autism
?As a parent of a child who was diagnosed on the spectrum, not only is this the right thing to do, it's an effort we are very proud to ignite here in Mesa. We are already seeing the movement spread within our community since embarking on this campaign only a few months ago.?
The recognition enables Visit Mesa to tap into a market with 32 million annual travelers, according to IBCCES' data. More than $262 billion is spent on autism-related services in the U.S. each year, according to IBCCES.
"Visit Mesa and its Board of Directors believe certification will serve this growing, yet underserved community. It's an unmatched opportunity for Mesa to elevate our national travel brand and our destination promise,? Garcia added.
To know more, please visit www.AutismTravelAZ.com.
