Loews Miami Beach Hotel earns Certified Autism Center designation

Loews Miami Beach Hotel in Miami Beach has been certified as a Certified Autism Center after staff and management completed autism and sensory training. The designation is part of a broader push to make Greater Miami a Certified Autism Destination and expand accessible travel options for autistic and sensory-sensitive guests.

Why it matters: - Loews Miami Beach Hotel’s new Certified Autism Center designation adds a trained, verified lodging option for autistic and sensory-sensitive travelers in Miami Beach. - The certification is part of Greater Miami’s effort to become a Certified Autism Destination, which is meant to give visitors more accessible choices across entertainment, recreation and lodging. - IBCCES also lists the hotel on its free Accessibility App, which can help visitors find certified destinations and sensory-friendly spaces in real time.

What happened: - Loews Miami Beach Hotel received Certified Autism Center status after at least 80% of guest-facing staff and management completed autism and sensory training. - The certification was awarded by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards, or IBCCES. - IBCCES completed an onsite review at the hotel as part of the certification process. - The review was used to develop sensory guides and identify additional accessibility recommendations for the property. - The hotel is in Miami Beach, Florida.

The details: - The training is meant to improve communication with and support for autistic and sensory-sensitive guests and their families. - Loews Miami Beach Hotel said the certification reflects a commitment to thoughtful, inclusive service and better preparation for diverse guest needs. - Mutluhan Kucuk, complex managing director at Loews Miami Beach Hotel, said the hotel is proud to partner with IBCCES and the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau in building a more accessible future for travel in Miami Beach. - Myron Pincomb, IBCCES board chairman, said the designation helps set a higher standard for accessible hospitality in Miami Beach. - David Whitaker, president and CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, said the certification can change the travel experience for families who want to travel with confidence and ease. - The Greater Miami area’s Certified Autism Destination initiative is led by the GMCVB. - IBCCES says the CAD designation signals that a destination has multiple trained and certified options for visitors. - The hotel is featured on the IBCCES Accessibility App, a free download that offers guidance on certified destinations, sensory-friendly spaces and tailored recommendations. - IBCCES also operates AccessibilityCertified.com and AutismTravel.com, free tools that list certified locations and professionals.

Between the lines: - The certification gives Loews Miami Beach Hotel a market distinction at a time when travel brands are competing on service differentiation as much as on location and amenities. - For Miami Beach, the certification supports a broader destination strategy: build enough trained partners that families can plan trips around accessible options, not work around them. - IBCCES is using hotel certifications, app listings and destination designations as a connected ecosystem, which may make accessibility easier to find and more visible to travelers.

What’s next: - Loews Miami Beach Hotel will need to maintain certification standards through IBCCES requirements, including ongoing learning and renewal. - Greater Miami’s CAD push is likely to continue as more hospitality, recreation and entertainment providers pursue training and certification. - Travelers can use the IBCCES Accessibility App, AccessibilityCertified.com and AutismTravel.com to locate certified options before booking.

The bottom line: - Loews Miami Beach Hotel is now part of a growing accessibility network in Greater Miami, giving families another certified place to stay and reinforcing Miami Beach’s bid to be seen as a more inclusive destination.