Synchronizing your calendar across multiple booking platforms is essential for managing your property efficiently and avoiding double bookings. This comprehensive guide will walk you through configuring iCal/sync connections to link your calendar with other platforms seamlessly.

Introduction to iCal Calendar Synchronization

iCal synchronization provides a two-way connection between your Holidu calendar and other booking platforms and property management systems. This means you can both import availability from external calendars and export your Holidu calendar to keep all your platforms updated in real-time. By setting up proper calendar synchronization, you ensure that when a guest books on one platform, that date is automatically blocked across all your connected channels, preventing costly double bookings.

Supported Calendar Sync Channels

Holidu supports calendar synchronization with the following platforms and 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 provider you wish to use is not listed above, check with your external provider to verify they support two-way iCal synchronization. We recommend testing the connection manually before relying on it for your bookings.

Important Disclaimer: Holidu does not guarantee compatibility with all external calendar systems using iCal. Always verify that synchronization is working correctly by creating test blocks on each platform.

How to Import and Export an iCal Calendar

Follow these step-by-step instructions to set up calendar synchronization between Holidu and your other platforms:

Step 1: Locate Your iCal URL on the External Platform

Log into your external booking platform (such as Booking.com, Airbnb, or VRBO) and find the iCal synchronization settings. Look for options labeled "Calendar Sync," "iCal Export," or "External Calendars." Copy the iCal URL provided—this is your export link that you'll need for the next steps.

Step 2: Access Holidu Calendar Configuration

Open your Holidu account and select the property you wish to synchronize. On the left-hand side navigation menu, scroll down until you locate "Configuration." Click on this section to expand your options.

Step 3: Open iCal & Synchronization Settings

Within the Configuration section, find and click on "iCal & Synchronization." This is where you'll manage all your calendar connections. Click the "Configure" button to begin adding a new synchronization.

Step 4: Select Your Channel

From the list of available channels, select the name of the platform you wish to synchronize with (for example, "Booking.com" or "Airbnb"). Each channel has its own specific settings and requirements.

Step 5: Complete the Two-Step Setup Process

Step 1 – Import: Paste the iCal URL you copied from the external platform into the "Address of iCal" field. This allows Holidu to receive calendar updates from the other platform.

Step 2 – Export: Holidu will generate its own iCal URL. Copy this URL and paste it into the iCal import section on your external platform's calendar settings. This allows the other platform to receive updates from Holidu.

Step 6: Save Your Configuration

Once you have completed both the import and export steps, click the "Save" button. Your calendars should now begin synchronizing.

Important Notes for Major Booking Platforms

Booking.com iCal Settings

When exporting your calendar from Booking.com, ensure you enable the correct synchronization options in the export settings. Specifically, you must tick the box for "Booked and Closed Dates." This critical setting ensures that both confirmed bookings and manual availability blocks sync properly with your Holidu calendar. Without this setting enabled, your manual blocks may not transfer correctly. For detailed instructions from Booking.com, visit their official iCal guide.

Airbnb Calendar Synchronization

Airbnb's iCal synchronization has a specific limitation you should be aware of: iCal sync only covers dates from today until 364 days in the future. Any dates beyond this 364-day window will not synchronize with Holidu or other connected platforms. This means you may need to manually update your availability for dates further in advance or use Airbnb's native calendar blocking features for those periods. For more information, consult Airbnb's calendar synchronization guide.

VRBO Calendar Sync

VRBO offers calendar synchronization features that work well with iCal. When setting up your VRBO calendar sync, follow their standard iCal procedures. For step-by-step guidance specific to VRBO, refer to their official synchronization instructions.

Troubleshooting Common Calendar Sync Issues

Verify Your iCal URL is Correct

The most common cause of synchronization failures is an incorrect or improperly copied iCal URL. Carefully check that the URL has been copied exactly as it appears on your external platform. Even a single missing character or typo will prevent the sync from working. Copy the URL directly from your account settings rather than typing it manually to avoid errors.

Refresh Your Calendar to See Updates

Calendar synchronization is not instantaneous. If you've just made changes on another platform or added your Holidu calendar to an external system, the updates may not appear immediately. Click the green "Refresh" button in your Holidu iCal settings to manually trigger an update. Allow several minutes for the blocks and bookings to appear on your calendar. During peak times, synchronization may take up to 30 minutes.

Test the Connection with Manual Blocks

Before relying on calendar sync for your live bookings, always test the connection to confirm it's working properly. Create a test availability block (such as blocking a single day) on one calendar and observe whether it appears on the connected calendar within a few minutes. Repeat this test on the other platform as well, blocking a date on Holidu and checking if it syncs to your external platform. This two-way test ensures the entire synchronization chain is functioning correctly.

Check for Timezone Differences

If dates appear to be shifted by one day, verify that both platforms are using the same timezone settings. Timezone mismatches can cause bookings and blocks to display on incorrect dates across your connected calendars.

Verify Platform-Specific Requirements

Some platforms require additional configuration steps or specific permission settings for iCal synchronization to work. Review the documentation for your external platform and ensure all prerequisites have been completed. Some systems may require you to manually approve the calendar connection or enable specific export options.

By following these comprehensive guidelines and troubleshooting steps, you can establish reliable calendar synchronization across all your property management platforms and significantly reduce the risk of double bookings.