Syncing your Holidu calendar with other booking platforms and calendar services is one of the most effective ways to manage your availability across multiple channels. By connecting via iCal synchronization, you can prevent double bookings, keep your availability updated automatically, and streamline your property management workflow. This guide will walk you through the entire process, whether you're setting up your first sync or adding additional connections.

What is iCal Synchronization?

iCal (iCalendar) is a standard file format used by most calendar and booking platforms to share calendar information. When you sync your Holidu calendar with another platform using iCal, the connection works both ways: your bookings and availability blocks automatically update across all connected channels. This two-way synchronization significantly reduces the risk of double bookings and ensures your property shows accurate availability to potential guests everywhere.

Supported Channels and Platforms

Holidu supports iCal synchronization with a wide range of booking platforms and calendar services. Here's a comprehensive list of supported and unsupported channels:

Fully Supported Channels

Platform	Sync Type	Notes
Admin	Two-way	Full synchronization support
Abritel	Two-way	Full synchronization support
Airbnb	Two-way	365-day limit applies; bookings beyond 364 days require manual blocking
Atraveo	Two-way	Full synchronization support
Avaibook	Two-way	Full synchronization support
Avantio	Two-way	Full synchronization support
Booking.com	Two-way	Requires "Booked + Closed dates" setting enabled in Booking.com export
FeWo-direkt	Two-way	Full synchronization support
Feratel	Two-way	Full synchronization support
Fewomanager.de	Two-way	Full synchronization support
Icnea	Two-way	Full synchronization support
Iperbooking	Two-way	Full synchronization support
Menorca Vacations	Two-way	Full synchronization support
Mister B&B	Two-way	Full synchronization support
Octorate	Export only (one-way)	Export Holidu calendar to Octorate only
TouristManager - LTS	Two-way	Full synchronization support
VRBO / HomeAway	Two-way	Full synchronization support
Wimdu	Two-way	Full synchronization support
Google Calendar	Two-way	Refresh rate approximately once per day; slower than other platforms
Smoobu	Two-way	Full synchronization support
Wubook	Export only (one-way)	Export Holidu calendar to Wubook only
KrossBooking	Two-way	Full synchronization support
Amenitiz	Two-way	Full synchronization support
Expedia	Two-way	Full synchronization support
Eviivo	Two-way	Full synchronization support
Fincallorca	Two-way	Full synchronization support
Homerti	Two-way	Full synchronization support
Ruralidays	Two-way	Full synchronization support
SECRA	Two-way	Full synchronization support
Spain-Holiday	Two-way	Full synchronization support
Your Rentals	Two-way	Full synchronization support
Gites.fr	Two-way	Full synchronization support

Not Supported Channels

The following platforms do not currently support iCal synchronization with Holidu:

• Rentals United
• Kigo
• TripAdvisor
• Siteminder
• Homerez
• Belvilla
• Outlook Calendar (not tested; compatibility not confirmed)
• iCloud Calendar (not tested; compatibility not confirmed)

If your desired platform is not listed, contact your calendar or booking provider directly to ask whether they support iCal synchronization. Always manually test your connection by creating a test block on each calendar to verify the sync is working correctly.

How to Import and Export an iCal Calendar

Scenario 1: First-Time Setup

If you are setting up your first iCal synchronization with Holidu, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your external booking platform or calendar service (such as Airbnb, Booking.com, or VRBO).
2. Locate the iCal or calendar synchronization settings.
3. Find and copy your iCal export URL (this is the link that allows Holidu to access your calendar data).
4. In a new browser window or tab, log in to your Holidu account.
5. Navigate to your property dashboard.
6. On the left-hand side menu, scroll down to find the Configuration section.
7. Click on "iCal & Synchronization."
8. Since this is your first synchronization, click the "Configure" button.
9. From the dropdown list, select the name of the channel you want to sync with (for example, Airbnb, Booking.com, or VRBO).
10. Complete Step 1 – Import: In the "Address of iCal" field, paste the iCal URL you copied from your external platform.
11. Complete Step 2 – Export: Copy the Holidu iCal URL that appears on the screen and navigate back to your external platform's iCal import settings. Paste this URL into the appropriate field on their platform.
12. Click "Save" to finalize the connection.

Scenario 2: Adding Additional Synchronizations

If you already have one iCal synchronization configured and want to add another platform, the process is similar but with one key difference:

1. Log in to the additional external booking platform or calendar service you want to connect.
2. Locate the iCal or calendar synchronization settings and copy your iCal export URL.
3. Log in to your Holidu account and navigate to your property dashboard.
4. On the left-hand side menu, scroll down to Configuration.
5. Click on "iCal & Synchronization."
6. Since you already have an existing synchronization, click "Add new synchronization" instead of Configure.
7. From the dropdown list, select the name of the additional channel you want to sync with.
8. Complete Step 1 – Import: Paste the iCal URL from your new external platform into the "Address of iCal" field.
9. Complete Step 2 – Export: Copy the Holidu iCal URL and paste it into the external platform's iCal import section.
10. Click "Save" to add this new synchronization.

You can repeat this process to add multiple synchronizations with different platforms, allowing your calendar to stay synchronized across all your active booking channels.

Important Notes About Specific Platforms

Booking.com Calendar Synchronization

To ensure your Booking.com calendar syncs properly with Holidu, you must configure the export settings correctly on Booking.com's platform.

Required step: In your Booking.com calendar export settings, tick the box labeled "Booked and Closed Dates." This ensures that both your confirmed bookings and any manual availability blocks you create on Booking.com will synchronize with your Holidu calendar.

For detailed instructions on Booking.com's end, visit their help article: Booking.com iCal connection guide.

Airbnb Calendar Synchronization

Airbnb's iCal has a specific limitation you should be aware of: the synchronization only covers availability from today through the next 364 days. Any dates beyond this 365-day window will not be synchronized between Airbnb and Holidu.

Important consideration: If you have bookings or blocks scheduled more than 364 days in the future, you will need to create manual blocks in Holidu to reflect those dates. Review your long-term bookings regularly to ensure they are properly blocked on your Holidu calendar as the 365-day window rolls forward.

For more information about Airbnb's iCal functionality, visit: Airbnb iCal help.

VRBO (Vacation Rental by Owner) Calendar Synchronization

VRBO offers full two-way iCal synchronization with Holidu. Like other platforms, you'll need to exchange iCal URLs between VRBO and Holidu to establish the connection.

For step-by-step instructions specific to VRBO, visit: VRBO calendar synchronization guide.

Troubleshooting Common iCal Synchronization Issues

The Calendar Sync Is Not Working

Check the iCal URL: The most common reason for synchronization failure is an incorrectly copied or pasted iCal URL. Even a single missing character can prevent the sync from functioning. Double-check that the URL is complete and matches exactly what your external platform provided. If you notice any typos or incomplete text, delete the synchronization and re-enter the correct URL.

Calendar Updates Are Not Appearing Immediately

Refresh your calendar: iCal synchronization is not instantaneous. Depending on the platform, updates may take several minutes to appear. If you've made changes and don't see them reflected in your Holidu calendar, click the green "Refresh" button in the iCal & Synchronization section. This will force an immediate sync attempt. Be patient as changes propagate—typically they appear within 5-15 minutes, though some platforms like Google Calendar may take up to 24 hours.

Bookings Are Not Syncing from a Specific Platform

Verify export settings: For platforms like Booking.com, ensure that all required export settings are enabled on their end. For example, Booking.com requires "Booked and Closed Dates" to be ticked. Without this setting, your bookings may not export to Holidu. Check your external platform's synchronization settings and confirm all relevant options are enabled.

Test the Connection Manually

Create a test block: The most reliable way to verify that your iCal sync is working correctly is to test it manually. Here's how:

1. Log in to your Holidu calendar and create a temporary availability block on a specific date (for example, tomorrow or a date next week).
2. Wait 5-15 minutes, then log in to your external platform and check whether that same date now shows as blocked or unavailable.