News

Amsaan Accessible Tours Launches New Website And App

The pioneering inclusive travel company hopes to revolutionize tourism for Deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors to the United Arab Emirates.

Published

2 years ago

November 6, 2023

Nour Nasir

amsaan accessible tours launches new website and app

Amsaan Accessible Tours (AAT), an inclusive UAE tourism company for Deaf and hard-of-hearing travelers, has launched a new website and mobile app designed to revolutionize travel for the 1.5 billion individuals globally who experience hearing impairment.

Deaf tourists frequently encounter language barriers and limited communication when booking trips or traveling overseas, and the new Amsaan Accessible Tours website aims to fix this with a user-friendly interface fully adapted for sign language. The site serves as a platform to book tours and connect with sign language-fluent AAT staff, and offers videos in British and International sign language, allowing Deaf users to access travel information more easily.

After booking a tour, tourists can use a deaf-friendly mobile app for on-the-go assistance. Travelers can use the app to initiate direct messages for sign language support and access sign language interpreters via video, ensuring effective communication in various situations. The app also facilitates easy connection with guides and tour information and features an accessibility map highlighting restaurants, souvenir shops, and more.

Vitalii Potapchuk, Co-founder of Amsaan Project, commented: “Accessibility and inclusivity are not mere buzzwords, but the very foundation of Amsaan Accessible Tours. To promote the UAE as one of the top 10 global tourist destinations, we have meticulously designed the Amsaan Tours website and mobile app to ensure that Deaf travelers can plan, book, and savor their journeys without encountering any communication barriers”.

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Meanwhile, Majed Al Bloushi, Relationship Manager at AAT, said: “Being an Emirati and a Deaf employee at AAT, I am proud to be part of an organization breaking down barriers and making the UAE a truly inclusive travel destination. This collaboration showcases our commitment to making tourism accessible to everyone, including Deaf travelers, and it’s a step toward making the UAE more diverse and inclusive”.

For more information, visit the Amsaan Accessible Tours website or download the Amsaan Tours mobile application on iOS and Android.

News

UAE’s Etihad Rail Launches In 2026 — What You Need To Know

A 1,200 km passenger network will transform public transport, with 11 connected cities, and high-speed trains cutting inter-emirate travel times.

Published

1 day ago

May 19, 2025

Nour Nasir

Etihad Rail

Etihad Rail has confirmed that its long-anticipated passenger train service will officially launch in 2026, ushering in a new era of high-speed, inter-emirate travel. The UAE’s national railway developer shared the announcement on X (formerly Twitter), as work continues on a 1,200 km passenger network set to connect 11 cities across all seven emirates.

The news marks a major leap in public transportation for the country, with passenger trains designed to reach speeds of up to 200 km/h. Travel times will be significantly reduced — Abu Dhabi to Dubai is expected to take just under an hour, while the journey to Fujairah will be cut to around 105 minutes. A separate high-speed line, capable of reaching 350 km/h, is also in the works to link Abu Dhabi and Dubai in just 30 minutes.

The backbone of the network was completed in 2023, when Etihad Rail launched its 900 km freight service linking key industrial and logistics hubs across the UAE, including ports in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Fujairah. Now, the focus has shifted to passenger infrastructure.

The first station will be located in Sakamkam, Fujairah city centre, and a second is confirmed near University City in Sharjah. Dubai’s main station is expected to be adjacent to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station, while Abu Dhabi’s is anticipated along the corridor separating Mussafah Industrial Area and Mohammed Bin Zayed City.

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Once completed, the passenger network will link cities including Al Sila, Al Ruwais, Al Mirfa, Dubai, Sharjah, Al Dhaid, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. Integration with Oman is also part of the long-term vision. A new cross-border project — Hafeet Rail — will span 303 km between Sohar and Abu Dhabi’s Al Wathba area. Developed by Etihad Rail in collaboration with Oman Rail and Mubadala, the link is expected to deepen trade and tourism ties between the two countries.

Etihad Rail’s passenger trains will carry up to 400 passengers each and feature Wi-Fi, entertainment systems, charging points, and onboard food and beverage options to ensure a comfortable experience. To further simplify access, passengers will be able to pay with their nol cards, thanks to a partnership between Etihad Rail and Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The collaboration aims to integrate fare payments and booking systems under one unified platform.