Corporate travel has been measured the same way for years—mostly in terms of cost. But as companies rethink the role of business travel, they need better ways to measure success.
That’s why we’re excited to welcome Kevin Drury as an advisor at tagtu. With 20 years in travel tech—across product, operations, and strategy—Kevin knows exactly where the gaps are. He also sees why the industry needs to shift from outdated metrics to measuring the actual impact.
Having held executive, product, and operations roles at some of the leading travel tech companies, Kevin has had a front-row seat to both the industry’s challenges and its untapped opportunities.
And that’s precisely what drew him to tagtu and tagtu to Kevin.
A New Approach to Business Travel ROI
Kevin first met Michael Friedrich, founder of tagtu, through a collaboration between their respective companies. “I guess I won him over with one of my deep dives into application ecosystems,” Kevin jokes. “Not everyone finds that topic exciting.”
But Michael did. And when he later introduced Kevin to tagtu’s innovative approach to measuring business travel ROI, everything clicked.
“There were two things that immediately stood out,” Kevin explains. “First, tagtu offers something tangible and customizable for both end users and travel managers— parameters that can be adjusted to assess how well a travel program is performing. Right now, travel managers don’t have access to this kind of holistic data when reviewing programs or setting policies.”
“Second, the integration potential within existing travel systems is massive. tagtu isn’t just meant to be another standalone tool—it aims at becoming a traveler centric, flexible, multi-functional layer that can operate across platforms. The possibilities for expansion are incredible.”
The Challenge: Defining Business Travel Value
For years, corporate travel discussions have revolved around cost-cutting, often at the expense of broader strategic value. Kevin believes this is due to the limited data available to travel managers, which has restricted their ability to make well-rounded decisions.
“Travel managers have been working with incomplete data,” he says. “Providers haven’t given them the insights they need beyond just reducing costs. And while the industry talks about ‘value,’ it’s been difficult to define—let alone measure in a meaningful way.”
The result? Travel programs have remained laser-focused on cost reduction, even when those savings come at the expense of employee productivity, well-being, sustainability (which includes employee well being!) and long-term business impact.
Balancing Cost and Purpose in Business Travel
If Kevin were running a company, what would he prioritize—the reason for travel or the cost?
“Both,” he says. “It depends on where the company is in its growth journey. Every business wants to maximize returns while minimizing costs—but what does ‘return’ even mean? That’s the real question.”
This shift in thinking is exactly why Kevin is so excited about tagtu’s role in reshaping the industry. With better data, companies won’t have to choose between controlling costs and creating value—they can optimize for both.
An Industry on the Cusp of Change
With 20 years in travel tech, Kevin has seen the industry evolve—sometimes slowly.
“When I started, we were still printing paper tickets and mailing them out,” he recalls. “And in some ways, the industry has been frustratingly slow to adopt new technology.”
While the last five years have brought new players pushing for innovation, legacy systems still dominate. “A great example is the Global Distribution System (GDS). So many companies have built their entire infrastructure around GDS/PNR structures. Breaking that mold requires a completely different way of thinking.”
But Kevin sees momentum now, particularly with AI-powered solutions that can bridge technology gaps and introduce smarter data models into outdated systems.
“We’re at a turning point,” he says. “Technology is finally catching up to the industry’s needs.”
A Future of Personalized Business Travel
One of Kevin’s biggest takeaways from years on the road? Business travel works best when it’s designed around the traveler.
“I do my best work when I’m well-rested and energized,” he says. “It sounds simple, but I’ve worked for companies that prioritized cost savings over employee well-being—red-eye flights, back-row seats, back-to-back meetings with no sleep.”
For Kevin, traveler well-being isn’t a luxury—it’s essential for productive business trips. “A company that invests in its travelers will ultimately see better results. It’s that simple.”
Technology can play a big role in making this shift happen.
“Planning tools need to integrate user personas from the start—event planners, executive assistants, frequent travelers, job candidates, conference attendees. Each of these travelers has different needs, from interface preferences to policy considerations. We’re moving beyond a ‘one-size-fits-all’ model.”
Kevin believes the future of business travel will be personalized, data-driven, and optimized for ROI and value—not just cost.
Looking Ahead: Why tagtu?
Kevin sees tagtu as a major player in this transformation.
“For too long, we’ve relied on static travel data that only tells part of the story,” he says. “With platforms like tagtu, we’re entering a new phase—one where AI, CRM integrations, and real-time data redefine how we measure business travel success. Companies will start making smarter, more dynamic decisions—balancing cost efficiency with business impact.”
That’s what drew him to tagtu. And that’s why he’s excited about what’s ahead.
Want to connect with Kevin? Find him on LinkedIn!
Curious about how tagtu can help your company measure the value of business travel? Get in touch at hello [at] tagtu.com.