Dementia Friendly Program Wins Spirit of Service Award

On Thursday, July 14, the Arizona Office of Tourism hosted the 2022 Governor’s Tourism Awards Gala recognizing the outstanding marketers, innovators and ambassadors of the Arizona tourism industry. 

We were excited to receive the Spirit of Service Award for our Compassion Cacti Lanyard™/Dementia Friendly Airport program. America’s Friendliest Airport®implemented a lanyard program aimed at providing an extra-friendly and patient hand to customers who self-identify as needing additional assistance when traveling through the airport.

The special Compassion Cacti™ lanyard, worn around the neck, identifies a traveler as a person who experiences dementia, making it easier for airport staff to recognize them and offer assistance. The lanyard also gives travelers the ability to enter new, quiet areas, such as the Compassion Corner, that offer minimal distractions — something that can help avoid the agitation and confusion that can present itself when a person experiencing dementia is away from home.

To learn more visit, skyharbor.com.