For Airbnb hosts who have listings on multiple platforms, syncing calendars is crucial. By connecting your Airbnb calendar with sites like Booking.com, you can ensure your availability stays updated across all platforms. In this guide, we'll walk you through how to sync your Airbnb and Booking.com calendars, highlight the benefits, address common challenges, and provide clear, step-by-step instructions to make the process simple and efficient.
Key Highlights
Syncing your Airbnb and Booking.com calendars is crucial to prevent double bookings and streamline your property management.
iCal links act as bridges, allowing different platforms to share calendar information and updates.
While manual syncing using iCal is possible, it requires frequent updates and has inherent delays.
Third-party tools or vacation rental software with channel management features offer a more efficient and automated solution.
By automating calendar synchronization, hosts and property managers can ensure accurate availability, maximize bookings, and provide a seamless experience for guests.
Basics of Calendar Syncing
Calendar syncing in property management and online travel agencies means linking the availability calendars of your listings on different platforms. This connection makes sure that when someone books a stay on one platform, the dates are automatically blocked on all other linked calendars.
The easiest way to do this is by using iCal links. iCal stands for iCalendar and is a file format that allows calendar data to be shared between different apps and platforms. By importing and exporting iCal links between Airbnb and Booking.com, you set up a way to share real-time updates on availability.
Why it's Important to Sync Airbnb and Booking.com Calendars
Syncing your Airbnb and Booking.com calendars helps prevent double bookings, where the same property is reserved by different guests for the same dates. Double bookings can lead to:
Loss of income
Damaged reputation as a host
By syncing calendars, any booking made on one platform immediately blocks dates on the other, ensuring your property is always shown as available or unavailable across all platforms.
Common Challenges in Calendar Management
While syncing sounds simple, property managers with multiple listings can face some challenges:
Manual effort: Regularly exporting and importing iCal links can be time-consuming, especially for those with several listings.
Risk of delays: Manual syncing can lead to mistakes or delays in updating, increasing the chances of double bookings.
Step-by-Step Guide to Syncing Your Calendars
Airbnb Calendar Guide
Access Your Airbnb Account
Log in to your Airbnb account.
Go to your dashboard.
Navigate to Calendar Settings on Airbnb
Find the listing you want to sync.
Go to the calendar settings, located under the "property management" section.
Export Airbnb Calendar
Look for the "Export calendar" option.
Click on it to generate an iCal link.
Copy the iCal link for the next step.
Sync Airbnb with Booking.com
After copying the Airbnb iCal link, proceed to your Booking.com account to import it.
Booking.com Calendar Guide
Access Your Booking.com Account
Log in to your Booking.com account.
Navigate to the extranet to manage your listings.
Navigate to Calendar Settings on Booking.com
Select the listing you want to sync.
Go to the calendar settings in the extranet.
Import Airbnb Calendar to Booking.com
Find the "Import calendar" option.
Paste the iCal link you copied from Airbnb into the appropriate field.
Save the settings to complete the sync.
Sync Booking.com with Airbnb
To create a two-way sync, generate the iCal link from your Booking.com calendar.
Return to Airbnb and paste the Booking.com iCal link into the "Import calendar" section.
Save the settings in Airbnb to ensure full synchronization.
Advanced Tips for Seamless Calendar Synchronization
Utilizing Third-party Tools for Enhanced Syncing
Consider using vacation rental software or a channel manager to automate the syncing process across platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com. Benefits include:
Automatic real-time updates on availability.
Error reduction compared to manual syncing.
Extra features such as messaging automation and pricing adjustments.
Setting Up Automatic Updates to Avoid Double Bookings
Most vacation rental management tools offer automatic updates. Once set up, the system will update your availability on all platforms whenever a booking is made or canceled, reducing the risk of double bookings due to slow manual updates.
Conclusion
Syncing your Airbnb and Booking.com calendars is key to avoiding double bookings and making managing your property easier. Stick to a clear plan, use the built-in syncing tools, and consider setting up automatic updates to reduce manual errors. Third-party tools can also help streamline your process.
Keep your calendars updated regularly and address any syncing issues quickly to ensure everything runs smoothly.
For a more hands-off approach, UpperKey offers professional property management services that can take care of syncing and other tasks, making hosting even easier for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I update my calendars on both platforms?
If using automatic syncing, updates happen in real-time. For manual updates, do it at least twice a day to avoid conflicts.
Can I sync my calendars with other platforms like Google Calendar?
Yes, Airbnb and Booking.com allow syncing with Google Calendar using iCal links. Just be cautious of clutter if managing multiple listings.
What should I do if I encounter a syncing error?
Check the iCal links and settings on both platforms. If the issue persists, consult the help center or contact support.
Is it possible to sync my calendars manually or do I need to use a third-party tool?
Manual syncing with iCal links is possible but time-consuming. Third-party tools can automate and simplify the process.
Are there any risks or drawbacks to syncing my Airbnb and Booking.com calendars?
The main risk is over-relying on automatic syncing. Regularly check both calendars for accuracy and update direct bookings to avoid double bookings.
