Syncing your calendar across multiple booking platforms is essential for managing your property efficiently and avoiding double bookings. This guide walks you through how to configure an iCal/sync connection to link your Holidu calendar with other platforms.

What is iCal Synchronization?

iCal synchronization allows you to connect your Holidu calendar with other booking channels and property management systems. The connection is two-way: you can import availability from external platforms and export your Holidu calendar to them. Once connected, your availability stays aligned across all channels, significantly reducing the risk of double bookings and ensuring accurate booking management.

Supported Channels

Holidu supports iCal synchronization with the following channels:

• Admin
• Abritel
• Airbnb
• Atraveo
• Avaibook
• Avantio
• Booking.com
• FeWo-direkt
• Feratel
• Fewomanager.de
• Icnea
• Iperbooking
• Menorca Vacations
• Mister B & B
• Octorate
• TouristManager - LTS
• VRBO
• Wimdu

If the calendar you want to import is not listed, check with your external provider whether they support two-way iCal synchronization. Always test the connection manually by creating a test block on each calendar to confirm it syncs correctly.

Disclaimer: Holidu cannot guarantee compatibility with every external iCal calendar. Always verify that the sync works as expected before relying on it for your booking management.

How to Import/Export an iCal Calendar

First-Time Setup

If this is your first time setting up calendar synchronization, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your Holidu account and select your property.
2. In the left-hand menu, scroll down to Configuration and click on iCal & Synchronization.
3. Click the Configure button to begin your first synchronization setup.
4. Select the name of the channel you want to sync from the list of available options.
5. Follow the two setup steps:
   • Step 1 – Import: Log in to your external channel account and locate the iCal export URL (sync link). Copy this URL and paste it into the "Address of iCal" field in Holidu.
   • Step 2 – Export: Copy the Holidu iCal URL provided on the setup screen and paste it into the iCal import section on your external provider's platform.
6. Click Save to complete the configuration.

Adding Additional Synchronizations

If you already have one synchronization configured and want to add another channel, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your Holidu account and select your property.
2. In the left-hand menu, scroll down to Configuration and click on iCal & Synchronization.
3. Click the Add new synchronization button.
4. Select the name of the additional channel you want to sync from the list of available options.
5. Follow the same two setup steps as described above:
   • Step 1 – Import: Locate and copy the iCal export URL from your external channel and paste it into the "Address of iCal" field in Holidu.
   • Step 2 – Export: Copy the Holidu iCal URL and paste it into the iCal import section on your external provider's platform.
6. Click Save to complete the additional synchronization.

Important Notes for Major Platforms

Booking.com

To ensure that both confirmed bookings and manual blocks sync correctly between Booking.com and Holidu:

1. Log in to your Booking.com account.
2. Go to the export settings for your iCal calendar.
3. Tick the box for Booked and Closed Dates.
4. Save your settings.

This ensures that blocked dates and reservations synchronize properly with your Holidu calendar. For more details, visit the Booking.com iCal instructions.

Airbnb

Airbnb has a specific limitation to be aware of: the Airbnb iCal calendar supports synchronization only from today through the next 364 days. Dates beyond this 364-day window will not be synced to Holidu. Plan your blocking and pricing adjustments with this limitation in mind. For more details, visit the Airbnb iCal instructions.

VRBO

VRBO uses a standard iCal format for synchronization. Follow the same import and export steps outlined above. For platform-specific guidance, visit the VRBO iCal instructions.

Troubleshooting Tips

Sync Not Working?

Check the iCal URL: The most common cause of synchronization failure is an incorrectly copied URL. Ensure that the entire iCal URL is copied exactly as it appears in your external provider's settings. Even a single missing character can prevent the sync from working.

Calendar Not Updating Immediately

If your calendar does not update right away after making changes on another platform, don't worry. Calendar synchronization can take a few minutes to process. You can speed up the process by clicking the green Refresh button in your Holidu iCal settings. This manually triggers an update without waiting for the automatic sync.

Verify the Connection with a Manual Test

Always test the synchronization connection before fully relying on it for your booking management. Here's how:

1. Create a test block (a blocked date) on one of your calendars.
2. Wait a few minutes.
3. Check if that blocked date appears on the other calendar.
4. If the test block syncs correctly, your connection is working properly.
5. Delete the test block once you've confirmed the sync is functioning.

Video Guide: Connecting to Airbnb

For a visual walkthrough of connecting your Holidu calendar to Airbnb, watch this step-by-step video guide:

View Airbnb Connection Video

Summary

Configuring iCal synchronization between Holidu and other platforms is straightforward and takes just a few minutes. Whether you're setting up your first synchronization or adding an additional channel, the process remains the same: import your external calendar's iCal URL into Holidu, then export Holidu's iCal URL to your external platform. Always test the connection and pay special attention to the requirements for Booking.com, Airbnb, and VRBO to ensure smooth synchronization. If you encounter any issues, use the troubleshooting tips above or contact Holidu support for assistance.