Synchronizing your Holidu calendar with other booking platforms and channels is a straightforward way to manage your availability across multiple sites and reduce the risk of double bookings. This guide walks you through the process of importing and exporting iCal calendars to keep your Holidu listing in sync with other platforms.

Supported Channels and Platforms

Holidu supports iCal synchronization with a wide range of booking platforms and calendar services. Here are the channels you can connect:

Provider	iCal Sync Support
Admin	Supported
Abritel	Supported
Airbnb	Supported (365-day limit — bookings beyond that need a manual block)
Atraveo	Supported
Avaibook	Supported
Avantio	Supported
Booking.com	Supported — tick "Booked + Closed dates" in your Booking.com export settings
FeWo-direkt	Supported
Feratel	Supported
Fewomanager.de	Supported
Icnea	Supported
Iperbooking	Supported
Menorca Vacations	Supported
Mister B&B	Supported
Octorate	Supported — export only (one-way)
TouristManager - LTS	Supported
VRBO / HomeAway	Supported
Wimdu	Supported
Google Calendar	Supported — refreshes approximately once per day, slower than other channels
Outlook / iCloud Calendar	Not tested — sync isn't confirmed to work
Smoobu	Supported
Wubook	Supported — export only (one-way)
KrossBooking	Supported
Amenitiz	Supported
Expedia	Supported
Eviivo	Supported
Fincallorca	Supported
Homerti	Supported
Ruralidays	Supported
SECRA	Supported
Spain-Holiday	Supported
Your Rentals	Supported
Gites.fr	Supported
Rentals United	Not supported
Kigo	Not supported
TripAdvisor	Not supported
Siteminder	Not supported
Homerez	Not supported
Belvilla	Not supported

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 manual block on each calendar to confirm it syncs correctly.

Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee compatibility with every external iCal calendar. Hosts should always verify that the sync works as expected.

How to Import and Export an iCal Calendar

First-Time Setup

If this is your first calendar synchronization with Holidu, follow these steps:

1. Log in to the other booking platform or calendar provider and find the iCal synchronization options. Locate your iCal URL (export link).
2. In another browser window or tab, log in to your Holidu account and select your property.
3. On the left-hand side menu, scroll down to the Configuration section and click on iCal & Synchronization.
4. Click on the Configure button to begin your first synchronization setup.
5. Select the name of the channel or platform you want to sync from the provided list of options.
6. Follow the two setup steps:
   • Step 1 – Import: Paste the iCal URL from the external provider into the "Address of iCal" field.
   • Step 2 – Export: Copy Holidu's iCal URL and paste it into the iCal import section on the external platform.
7. Click the Save button to complete the setup.

Adding Additional Synchronizations

If you already have one calendar synchronized and want to add another platform or channel, follow these steps:

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

Important Notes for Popular Booking Platforms

Booking.com

When syncing with Booking.com, ensure that you enable the correct export settings:

• In your Booking.com account settings, navigate to the iCal export options.
• Tick the box for Booked and Closed Dates. This ensures both confirmed bookings and manual blocks (closed dates) sync correctly with Holidu.
• This step is crucial to prevent synchronization issues and ensure complete calendar accuracy across both platforms.

For detailed instructions on Booking.com's iCal setup, refer to the Booking.com iCal documentation.

Airbnb

Airbnb's iCal synchronization has specific limitations you should be aware of:

• The Airbnb iCal supports synchronization only from today through the next 364 days.
• Dates beyond this 365-day window will not be synced automatically.
• For bookings or blocks beyond 364 days in the future, you will need to manually create a block in Holidu to prevent double bookings.
• This limitation applies to both imported bookings and exported availability from Holidu.

For detailed instructions on Airbnb's iCal setup, refer to the Airbnb iCal documentation.

VRBO / HomeAway

VRBO and HomeAway support full iCal synchronization with Holidu. Ensure that you copy both the import and export URLs correctly during setup.

For detailed instructions on VRBO's iCal setup, refer to the VRBO iCal documentation.

Troubleshooting Tips

Calendar Sync is Not Working

Check the iCal URL: The most common reason for synchronization failure is an incorrectly copied or mistyped iCal URL. Double-check that you have copied the entire URL from your external platform without any extra spaces or missing characters. Copy and paste directly from the source to avoid typos.

Calendar Updates Are Not Appearing

Refresh Your Calendar: Holidu and external platforms do not update simultaneously. If you do not see your calendar changes immediately, click the green Refresh button in the iCal & Synchronization section. This forces an immediate synchronization. It may take a few minutes for blocks and bookings to appear across all connected calendars.

Verify the Synchronization Works

Manual Testing: Always test the connection after setup by creating a manual block or unavailable date in one calendar. Check that it appears in the other calendar within a few minutes. This confirms that the synchronization is working correctly in both directions. If the block does not appear after 10 minutes, review the iCal URL and repeat the manual test.

One-Way Synchronization Platforms

Some platforms such as Octorate and Wubook support export-only (one-way) synchronization. This means availability updates from Holidu will be sent to these platforms, but their bookings may not automatically import into Holidu. For these platforms, you may need to manually manage certain calendar entries or set up additional synchronizations with other tools.

Video Guide: Connecting to Airbnb

For a visual walkthrough of the iCal synchronization process, watch our step-by-step video guide on how to connect Holidu to Airbnb:

Watch the Airbnb iCal Connection Video

Summary

Connecting your Holidu calendar to other booking platforms via iCal synchronization is a powerful way to manage your property's availability centrally. By following these steps and keeping the important platform-specific notes in mind, you can ensure that your calendar stays accurate across all channels, minimizing double bookings and streamlining your management process. If you encounter any issues beyond these troubleshooting tips, contact Holidu support for further assistance.