Photo Credit: Philipp Kandal, Grab Chief Product Officer, speaking at Skift Asia Forum on April 29, 2026 in Bangkok. Skift
Grab says it isn't competing with the region’s travel platforms. But what it is building may be more disruptive than direct competition.
LinkedIn X Facebook Email What role does AI and user data play in Grab’s approach to reducing friction during travel? How does Grab differentiate its travel strategy from traditional travel companies? What features does Grab’s ‘intelligence layer’ provide to enhance traveler experience? Select a question above or ask something else
The Singapore-headquartered superapp Grab says it's not a travel company — but it keeps adding travel products.
This spring, it unveiled GrabStays, Discover by Grab, GrabPay for Travel, and a Personalised Travel Experience layer.
“We don’t see travel as a category per se,” Grab's chief product officer Philipp Kandal told Skift. “We think more about travelers as users and then make sure that everything we offer to them is catered to them.”
At the center of Grab’s travel businesses is what Kandal described as the company’s “intelligence layer” — a data and AI system powered by activity across its transport, food delivery, grocery and payments ecosystem.
Kandal said Grab’s scale gives it a rich understanding of consumer behavior,
Very Online is your best source for news about online travel, from startups to the biggest online travel agencies.
By submitting this form, you agree to receive email communication from Skift.
See more essential travel news in your search results.
Tags: artificial intelligence , asia monthly , booking holdings , grab , superapp , travel tech
LinkedIn X Facebook Email First read is on us . Subscribe today to keep up with the latest travel industry news.
Subscribe now for complete access to Skift.com’s trusted coverage of the travel industry.
Enter your email for a complimentary article + exclusive offers.