Summary
- Welcoming Destination: Mesa, Arizona, showcases itself as an inclusive city.
- Autism Certification: The first Autism Certified City in the U.S., awarded by IBCCES.
- Community Engagement: Local businesses trained to help families affected by autism.
- Visitor Resources: An informative website to assist travelers with autism.
- Positive Impact: Communitywide benefits from embracing an inclusive approach.
Mesa, Arizona, a vibrant city with a population of over 500,000 residents located adjacent to Phoenix, is keen on establishing itself as a destination that embraces everyone. Therefore, its initiatives, particularly for families with autism, are noteworthy.
In 2019, Mesa was recognized in the iBestTravel‘s 2023 Global Vision Awards Accessibility category and became the nation’s first-ever Autism Certified City. This designation was awarded by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), highlighting its commitment to inclusivity. This remarkable achievement was driven by the personal dedication of Marc Garcia, president and CEO of Visit Mesa.
Marc Garcia was inspired to pursue this unique certification following his six-year-old son’s autism diagnosis. He aimed to improve personal travel experiences for families facing similar challenges. Consequently, the initiative quickly garnered support from local leaders, including Mayor John Giles, who praised Garcia’s vision in creating a more inclusive community.
Over the next year, Visit Mesa actively worked with local businesses to implement autism training programs, enabling them to cater to various traveler needs more effectively. In total, more than 500 Mesa Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities employees completed this essential training, alongside nearly 4,000 community members from 60 different organizations and businesses. Visit Mesa stated, “Certification illustrates to families affected by ASD that they can trust Mesa as a dedicated tourism destination serving individuals with autism. Certification is achieved when at least 80 percent of guest-facing staff is trained and certified in the field of autism.”
Among the certified establishments are multiple hotels, including Delta Hotels by Marriott, Sheraton Mesa Hotel at Wrigleyville West, and Hyatt Place Phoenix/Mesa.
To ensure that visitors make the most of their stay, Visit Mesa has created a comprehensive website that offers sensory guides, a list of Certified Autism Centers, dining options, attractions, and additional resources. The site even features a free digital passport, allowing visitors to track their experiences while providing incentives—guests receive a little prize after checking in at five locations on the list.
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According to Michelle Streeter, the chief marketing and communications officer for Visit Mesa, “Visit Mesa is helping inspire and encourage other destinations and organizations to take on this journey, and we will always advocate for the benefits of an inclusion-first approach to visitor marketing. This experience has had such positive impacts on the health of our entire community, as a city that fully embraced the process of certification and continues to dedicate time and resources to this movement.”
For more information about Mesa and the certified businesses available, visit VisitMesa.com.
The iBestTravel Global Vision Awards aim to identify and honor companies, individuals, destinations, and organizations that are dedicated to creating sustainable and responsible travel products, practices, and experiences. They not only demonstrate thought leadership and creative problem-solving, but they also help protect communities and environments worldwide while inspiring their industry colleagues and travelers to contribute positively.
