Accessible Travel Solutions

What Accessible Travel Solutions does

Accessible Travel Solutions (ATS) is a Houston-based accessibility consultancy serving the global travel, tourism, cruise, and events industries. Founded by John Sage in 2016 as the second company in the Sage Family of Companies (after Sage Traveling, established in 2009), ATS sells a bundled offering known as the Sage System, which covers five integrated service pillars: Accessibility Training (delivered through Sage Academy as six role-specific on-demand courses that issue professional certification badges), Accessibility Assessment (built environment and digital / WCAG 2.1 audits grounded in ISO 21542, ISO 21902, ISO 17210 and five national accessibility standards), Accessibility Certification (the only global, cross-sector certification covering five disability types — Mobility, Vision, Hearing, Neurodivergent, Allergy), Accessibility Marketing (content and campaigns targeting disabled travelers, including distribution via the SageTraveling.com consumer platform), and Accessibility Consulting (Accessibility Master Plans with KPIs plus retainer advisory). The firm additionally offers an accessibility equipment catalog and keynote speaking through CEO John Sage. ATS serves destination marketing organizations, convention and visitors bureaus, hotels and attractions, cruise lines (Windstar, MSC), convention centers and event organizers (PCMA, Pennsylvania Convention Center), travel advisor associations (ASTA), and government tourism authorities (Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority).

The underlying technology is a proprietary accessibility assessment methodology rather than a software platform: it codifies three international ISO standards, five national accessibility frameworks (USA, Canada, UK, EU, UAE), WCAG 2.1 for digital audits, and 200,000+ hours of operational accessible trip planning experience into a repeatable assessment and certification process. Training content is delivered through a learning management system with per-seat pricing ($99–$149), while consulting, assessment, and certification engagements appear to be quote-based professional services contracts, frequently structured as multi-month, multi-facility initiatives.

The business model combines three go-to-market motions: enterprise field sales targeting travel businesses, destinations, hotels, cruise lines, and event organizers for consulting and certification work; product-led growth through self-serve online training courses sold directly via the ATS website; and a direct-to-consumer layer via the SageTraveling.com platform (founded 2009) that markets accessible destinations to disabled travelers and acts as a marketing channel for B2B clients. The company remains privately held and bootstrapped by founder John Sage, with no disclosed institutional investment.

Name

Accessible Travel Solutions

Legal name

Accessible Travel Solutions

Website

https://accessibletravelsolutions.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Accessible Travel Solutions is a Houston-based consultancy that helps travel businesses, destinations, cruise lines, and event organizers assess, certify, train, and market accessibility services for travelers with disabilities across five disability categories.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Travel Accessibility Consulting & Training

NAICS

Tour Operators (561520), All Other Business Support Services (561499)

SIC

Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)

akta.pro primary industry

Special Needs & Accessible Travel Services (Local DMC) (THAKAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Destination & Local Services Marketplaces (Transfers, Guides, City Passes) (THALAFAK)

Keywords

• Accessibility consulting
• Travel training
• Accessible tourism
• Accessibility certification
• Disability training

Headquarters

HQ city

Houston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Accessibility Consulting: Accessibility Master Plan development and retainer-based accessibility advisory services for travel businesses, destinations, and organizations.
2. Training Programs: On-demand training courses sold per person, including Accessibility Awareness Training ($99), Accessible Event Training ($149), Accessible Destination Training ($149), Accessible Hospitality Training, Accessible Travel Advisor Training, and Shorex Manager Training. Delivered via LMS with certification badges upon completion.
3. Accessibility Assessment: Detailed assessments of built environment and digital platforms resulting in tailored reports with priority improvements. Based on international and national accessibility standards.
4. Accessibility Certification: Certification services for locations, destinations, and events covering five disability types. Awards Sage Certified badges upon meeting criteria.
5. Accessibility Marketing: Marketing content creation and digital marketing campaign services designed to reach travelers with disabilities. Includes listing on SageTraveling.com platform.
6. Equipment Sales: Sales of accessibility equipment including mobility (ramps, pool lifts, door openers, grab bars), hearing (induction loops, assistive listening), visual (braille signage, tactile surfaces), and neurodivergent (sensory equipment) products.
7. Keynote Speaking: Speaking engagements by John Sage and team on accessibility topics for travel and events industry.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Accessible Travel Solutions sells B2B accessibility consulting, training, assessment, certification, and marketing services to the global travel and tourism industry, organized under "The Sage System." Training is delivered through six role-specific on-demand LMS courses ($99–$149 per person) culminating in professional certification badges. The firm also operates the related consumer-facing SageTraveling.com platform for accessible travel bookings in 50+ countries and sells accessibility equipment across five disability categories.

Product overview

Accessible Travel Solutions operates as a multi-service consultancy providing a comprehensive suite of accessibility solutions for the travel and tourism industry. The core offering is The Sage System, which encompasses five integrated service pillars: Accessibility Training (delivered through Sage Academy with six role-specific training courses: Sage Accessibility Awareness Training, Sage Accessible Event Training, Sage Accessible Destination Training, Sage Accessible Hospitality Training, Sage Accessible Travel Advisor Training, and Sage Accessible Shorex Manager Training), Accessibility Assessment, Accessibility Certification (the Sage Certified badge covering five disability types), Accessibility Marketing, and Accessibility Consulting. Training courses are delivered on-demand via LMS, each culminating in a professional certification badge (CAAP, CADM, CAEP, CAHP, CATP, CASM). The company also offers an Accessibility Equipment catalog and Keynote Speaker services. SageTraveling.com (founded 2009) serves as the company's accessible travel platform and marketing channel for reaching disabled travelers. The company is a member of the Sage Family of Companies and has been turning accessibility novices into experts for 15 years.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sage Accessibility Certification: The Sage Accessibility Certification is the company's certification program covering five disability types (Mobility, Visual, Hearing, Neurodivergent, and Allergy), awarded to locations, destinations, and events that meet accessibility standards.
• Sage Academy
• Sage System
• Sage Traveling

Products and services

• Sage Accessibility Awareness Training Foundational 45-minute on-demand LMS course providing fundamental accessible travel concepts required to succeed in the accessible travel market, covering disability terminology, types, statistics, accessibility needs, the business case, legal compliance, and the Three Pillars of Accessible Travel. Priced at $99 per person and culminating in a Certified Accessibility Aware Professional (CAAP) badge.
• Sage Accessible Event Training 90-minute on-demand LMS course that helps event organizers, venues, and support staff create inclusive gatherings by covering disability terminology, legal compliance, accessibility of venues (convention centers, exhibits, hotels, restaurants, airports, ground transport), RFP incorporation, registration accessibility, and event certification. Priced at $149 per person and culminating in a Certified Accessible Event Professional (CAEP) badge.
• Sage Accessible Destination Training On-demand LMS course providing destination managers, CVBs, and tourism partners with essential knowledge on what makes a destination accessible, covering accessibility of convention centers, hotels, attractions, restaurants, airports, ground transport, pedestrian routes, marketing to PwDs, and three approaches to accessibility. Priced at $149 per person and culminating in a Certified Accessible Destination Manager (CADM) badge.
• Sage Accessible Hospitality Training 45-minute on-demand LMS course equipping frontline hospitality staff with knowledge and confidence to serve guests with diverse accessibility needs, reduce service barriers, and deliver welcoming interactions. Includes role-specific training for front desk, housekeeping, food and beverage, and attractions staff, culminating in a Certified Accessible Hospitality Professional (CAHP) badge.
• Sage Accessible Travel Advisor Training 60-minute on-demand LMS course equipping travel advisors with knowledge to understand what makes a trip accessible, communicate effectively with travelers who have disabilities, and book travel meeting diverse accessibility needs. Covers the business case for accessibility, disability terminology and etiquette, Three Pillars of Accessible Travel, and collecting customer accessibility details, culminating in a Certified Accessible Travel Planner (CATP) badge.
• Sage Accessible Shorex Manager Training On-demand LMS course preparing shore excursion managers and staff to confidently support guests with diverse accessibility needs through clear communication, accurate excursion descriptions, and practical coordination with onboard teams. Covers the business case for accessibility, five disability categories, real stories, myths and truths, key success factors, and future growth, culminating in a Certified Accessible Shorex Manager (CASM) badge.
• Accessibility Assessment Comprehensive assessment service covering both built environment (hotels, attractions, airports, convention centers) and digital platforms. Built-environment audits are grounded in 3 international accessibility standards (ISO 21542, ISO 21902, ISO 17210), 5 national accessibility standards (USA, Canada, UK, EU, UAE), and 200,000+ hours of accessible trip planning experience. Digital assessments evaluate documentation and website accessibility against WCAG 2.1. Deliverables are detailed, tailored reports describing key features and priority improvements.
• Sage Accessibility Certification Certification program covering five disability types (Mobility, Visual, Hearing, Neurodivergent, and Allergy) with Sage Certified badges at Gold and Silver levels reflecting the accessibility achieved. Available for locations (hotels, attractions, restaurants, transportation, convention centers, visitor centers, guided tours, cruise ships), destinations with sufficient certified businesses, and events. Marketed as the only global, cross-sector accessibility certification for five disability types.
• Accessibility Marketing Marketing service providing accessible marketing content and multi-channel digital marketing campaigns targeting people with disabilities. Includes distribution through the SageTraveling.com platform and the Sage Traveling Newsletter (founded 2009) to reach ready-to-travel PwDs and travel agents. Content goes beyond superficial wheelchair imagery to include the detailed information that wins trust of disabled travelers.
• Accessibility Consulting Strategic consulting engagement delivering an Accessibility Master Plan that defines Key Focus Areas (KFAs) for accessibility, prioritized action plans, and accessibility management systems with KPIs to monitor and drive continuous progress. Provides retainer-based accessibility advisor services for organizations needing expert guidance without full-time hiring. Covers physical locations (hotels, convention centers, attractions, airports), transportation providers, destinations, and travel planners.
• Accessibility Equipment Catalog of accessibility equipment sold across five disability categories: Mobility (modular, threshold, and portable ramps, pool lifts, automatic door openers, grab bars), Hearing (induction loops, counter loops, assistive listening equipment, audio/visual doorbells), Visual (braille signage, braille stickers/labels, accessible phones, tactile walking surfaces), and Neurodivergent (noise-cancelling headphones, fidget toys, weighted blankets, sensory room equipment).
• Keynote Speaker Services Speaking engagements delivered by CEO John Sage and team delivering sessions on the business case for accessibility with practical steps organizations can implement. Popular topics include accessible travel myths and misconceptions, disability etiquette and terminology, the Three Pillars of Accessible Travel, and sector-specific insights for accommodation, aviation, cruise, and MICE sectors.
• SageTraveling.com Consumer Platform Consumer-facing accessible travel platform founded in 2009 by John Sage as part of the Sage Family of Companies, providing accessible vacations to disabled travelers. Offers accessible accommodation, transportation, tours, pre-trip consulting, and emergency assistance in 50+ countries and 140+ cruise ports. Functions as a marketing channel for destinations and travel businesses to reach people with disabilities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 20% increase in revenue potential by serving people with disabilities
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021John Sage, CEO of Accessible Travel Solutions, was the primary author of WTTC's Inclusive and Accessible Travel Guidelines (2021). The guidelines consolidate industry research, expert interviews, and lived experience into an actionable framework for travel companies to design and deliver accessible products and services. This establishes ATS as an industry standards leader.
• Sage TravelingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSage Traveling was founded by John Sage in 2009 and is part of the Sage Family of Companies alongside Accessible Travel Solutions. It is the world's most trusted accessible travel platform providing accessible vacations in 50+ countries and 140+ cruise ports. The platform is used for marketing destinations to disabled travelers.
• Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCLIA has leaned on John Sage's expertise for accessible cruise travel guidance. ATS provides accessible shore excursion services and training to cruise lines and their shorex operations.
• Airports Council International (ACI)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerACI has utilized John Sage's accessibility expertise. ATS expertise helps airports improve accessibility for travelers with disabilities.
• Global Business Travel Association (GBTA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGBTA has leaned on John Sage's accessibility expertise for business travel accessibility guidance.
• US Travel and Tourism Advisory BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJohn Sage is currently serving on the US Travel and Tourism Advisory Board where he advises the US Secretary of Commerce on travel and tourism policy including accessibility matters.
• Travel UnitymajorGTM or Marketing PartnerTravel Unity promotes diversity and inclusion in travel. ATS CEO John Sage won Travel Unity's Inclusion Champion of the Year award in 2025. ATS destinations are promoted through Travel Unity's network.
• Sustainable Hospitality AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a member/partner organization, focusing on sustainability and accessibility in hospitality.
• Tourism Diversity Matters (TDM)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner organization promoting diversity and inclusion in tourism.
• Destinations InternationalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed as a Business Member, providing accessibility services to destinations worldwide.
• MMGY GlobalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMarketing partner reaching travelers with disabilities through travel marketing campaigns.
• Ingle InternationalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInsurance partner serving travelers with disabilities, complementary accessible travel services.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Open Doors Organization (ODO): Chicago-based nonprofit providing accessibility training, consulting, and certification for the hospitality, travel, and tourism industries — nearly identical scope to ATS' training, assessment, and certification pillars. Directly comparable B2B offering for the same institutional customer set.
• Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality (SATH): Industry membership and advocacy organization serving accessible-travel professionals worldwide for decades. Comparable to ATS through its training programs, industry guidance, and network of accessible-travel advisors — overlaps on professional-development and standards work in the same niche.
• Wheel the World: A venture-backed accessible-travel marketplace offering bookable accessible tours, hotels, and experiences globally. Both companies serve the same traveler demographic (disabled travelers) and operate booking platforms plus destination-side partnerships, making them directly comparable on customer, model, and product.
• Sage Traveling: Founded by John Sage in 2009 and explicitly part of the Sage Family of Companies, Sage Traveling runs the consumer-facing accessible-travel marketplace in 50+ countries and 140+ cruise ports — the consumer counterpart to ATS' B2B services. Directly comparable in accessibility specialization and customer base.
• Accessible Journeys: Long-standing accessible-tour operator (formerly Evergreen Travel) specializing in escorted accessible group tours for mobility, vision, and hearing-disabled travelers. Directly comparable tour-operator model and customer overlap with ATS' SageTraveling offering.
• Flying Wheels Travel: Accessible travel agency focused on wheelchair-using travelers since 1992, offering escorted group tours and custom accessible itineraries worldwide. Closely comparable consumer-facing accessible-tour business with overlapping customer base.
• Special Needs Group (SNG): Rents and sells mobility and accessibility equipment (wheelchairs, scooters, ramps, pool lifts) to travelers and resorts worldwide. Adjacent overlap with ATS' Accessibility Equipment catalog and accessible-shore-excursion business for cruise travelers.

Emerging players

• AccessNow: App-based accessibility mapping and marketplace platform crowdsourcing accessibility information at venues globally. Comparable audience and data layer to the SageTraveling marketplace; a partial-overlap emerging player rather than a full-service competitor.

Others

• Destinations International: Industry association for DMOs and CVBs that ATS sells accessibility services into. Compelling peer not as a competitor but as the buyer-side ecosystem — its member-base quality and accessibility messaging directly determine ATS' addressable demand.
• Tourism Diversity Matters (TDM): Industry association promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion across travel and tourism, listed as an ATS partner organization. Complements ATS' work by mobilizing the broader DEI-in-tourism agenda, with overlapping mandates on accessibility and inclusion.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AtsTrav

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Accessible Travel Solutions