Connecting your Holidu calendar with other booking platforms and channels is essential for managing your availability across multiple sites. By syncing calendars using iCal, you can reduce the risk of double bookings and ensure your calendar stays up-to-date everywhere you list your property. This guide walks you through the entire setup process, whether it's your first synchronization or adding an additional connection.

Supported Calendar Platforms and Channels

Holidu supports iCal synchronization with a wide range of booking platforms and calendar services. Before starting, check whether your preferred platform is listed below to ensure compatibility.

Provider	iCal 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. We recommend always testing the connection manually by creating a test block on each calendar to confirm it syncs correctly.

Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee compatibility with every external iCal calendar. You should always verify that the sync works as expected before relying on it for your bookings.

How to Import and Export an iCal Calendar

The import and export process is the same whether you're setting up your first synchronization or adding an additional one. Follow these steps to connect your calendar.

First-Time Setup

If this is your first calendar synchronization, you will click the Configure button to begin.

Adding Additional Synchronizations

If you already have one synchronization set up and want to add another channel, you will click the Add new synchronization button instead.

Step-by-Step Import and Export Instructions

1. Log in to the external booking platform or calendar service where you currently manage availability. Locate the iCal synchronization or calendar export settings. Copy your iCal URL (this is your export link that Holidu will import from).
2. In a separate browser window, log in to your Holidu account and navigate to your property dashboard.
3. On the left-hand side menu, scroll down to the Configuration section and click on iCal & Synchronization.
4. Click on Configure if this is your first synchronization. If you already have a synchronization in place, click Add new synchronization instead. Select the name of the channel or platform you want to sync from the dropdown list of options.
5. You will now see a two-step setup screen:
   • Step 1 – Import: Paste the iCal URL you copied from the external platform into the "Address of iCal" field.
   • Step 2 – Export: Copy the Holidu iCal URL that appears on this screen. Go back to the external platform and paste this URL into their iCal import or synchronization settings.
6. Click Save to complete the setup.

Once saved, your calendars will begin synchronizing. Any availability changes, bookings, or blocks created on one platform will be reflected on the other.

Important Notes About Booking.com, Airbnb, and VRBO

Booking.com

When exporting your calendar from Booking.com, you must ensure that both booked dates and closed dates are included in the export. In your Booking.com account settings, locate the iCal export options and tick the box labeled "Booked and Closed Dates". This ensures that both confirmed reservations and manual availability blocks sync correctly with your Holidu calendar.

For more detailed instructions from Booking.com, visit their official help article: How to connect your Booking.com calendar to other calendars

Airbnb

Airbnb's iCal synchronization has a built-in limitation: it only supports synchronization for dates from today through the next 364 days. Any bookings or availability blocks beyond this 365-day window will not be automatically synced with Holidu. You will need to manually create availability blocks in Holidu for dates beyond this range.

For more information, see Airbnb's help article: Airbnb iCal synchronization

VRBO (Vacation Rental by Owner)

VRBO offers iCal synchronization to help you manage your calendar across platforms. When setting up the sync between VRBO and Holidu, follow the same import and export steps outlined above. VRBO will provide you with an iCal URL to import, and Holidu will provide a URL to export to VRBO.

For step-by-step guidance from VRBO, refer to their official article: How to sync your VRBO calendar with another calendar

Troubleshooting Tips

Calendar Synchronization Is Not Working

Check the iCal URL: The most common cause of sync failures is an incorrect iCal URL. Verify that you have copied the URL exactly as it appears on the external platform. Even a single character typo will cause the synchronization to fail. Copy the URL again and paste it carefully into Holidu.

Changes Are Not Appearing Immediately

Manually refresh your calendar: While synchronization is typically automatic, calendar updates may take a few minutes to appear. If you have made changes on the external platform but don't see them reflected in Holidu, click the green Refresh button next to your synchronization. This will force an immediate update.

Testing Your Connection

Perform a manual test: To verify that your calendar sync is working correctly, create a short-term availability block or test reservation on each platform. Check that the block appears on the other platform within a few minutes. This confirms the connection is two-way and functioning as expected. If the test block does not appear on the second platform, review your iCal URLs and synchronization settings.

Still Having Issues?

If you continue to experience problems with calendar synchronization, verify that your external platform supports iCal export and import. Some platforms only support one-way synchronization (export only), which may limit functionality. Refer to your external platform's support documentation or contact their customer service for additional assistance.

Video Guide

For a visual walkthrough of connecting your Holidu calendar to Airbnb via iCal, watch this helpful video tutorial:

How to Connect Your Holidu Calendar to Airbnb – Video Guide

By following these steps and keeping your calendars synchronized, you'll maintain accurate availability across all your booking platforms and reduce the risk of double bookings. A well-synced calendar is essential for providing a smooth experience for your guests and maximizing your booking potential.