Sync Your Calendars to Stop Vacation Rental Double Bookings

The Ultimate Guide to Vacation Rental Calendar Sync: How to Avoid Double Bookings with Airbnb, VRBO, and Your Direct Website

Are you a vacation rental host constantly on edge, terrified of the dreaded double booking? The sinking feeling of having to tell a guest their dream vacation is no longer possible due to an oversight is something no host wants to experience. Not only does it lead to unhappy guests and potential negative reviews, but it can also cost you significant revenue and damage your reputation.

In today's competitive vacation rental market, juggling multiple booking platforms like Airbnb and VRBO, alongside your own direct booking website, is essential for maximizing occupancy. However, this juggling act can quickly turn into a nightmare if your reservation calendars aren't in sync.

Fear not! The key to seamless multi-platform management and a stress-free hosting experience lies in calendar synchronization. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about syncing your vacation rental calendar across Airbnb, VRBO, and, most importantly, your own direct booking website powered by platforms like OwnerWebs.com.

Understanding iCal and Why It's Your Best Friend

At the heart of most calendar syncing solutions lies iCalendar (iCal), a computer file format that allows different calendar applications and online services to exchange calendar information. Think of it as a universal language that booking platforms and website builders can understand.

Why is iCal sync so crucial for vacation rental hosts?

• Eliminates Double Bookings: By automatically sharing availability information, you can rest assured that a booking on one platform instantly blocks those dates on all your connected calendars.
• Saves Time and Effort: Manually updating multiple calendars is time-consuming and prone to human error. Syncing automates this process, freeing up your valuable time.
• Improves Guest Experience: Accurate availability ensures guests can book with confidence, leading to smoother transactions and happier stays.
• Protects Your Reputation: Avoiding cancellations due to double bookings is vital for maintaining positive reviews and a strong reputation on all platforms.

Step-by-Step: Syncing Your Calendar with Major Platforms

Let's dive into how to sync your calendar with the most popular vacation rental platforms:

How to Sync Your Airbnb Calendar

Airbnb offers a straightforward iCal import/export feature:

1. Export Your Airbnb Calendar:

• Go to your Airbnb listing.
• Click on "Calendar."
• Select "Availability settings."
• Scroll down and click "Export calendar."
• Copy the iCal link provided by Airbnb.

1. Import an External Calendar to Airbnb (to receive updates from other platforms):

• Follow the first three steps above to get to the "Availability settings" page.
• Scroll down and click "Import calendar."
• Give your imported calendar a name (e.g., "VRBO Calendar or OwnerWebs calendar").
• Paste the iCal link from the other platform (like VRBO or your OwnerWebs calendar).
• Click "Import calendar."

How to Sync Your VRBO Calendar

VRBO also supports iCal synchronization:

1. Export Your VRBO Calendar:

• Log in to your VRBO account.
• Navigate to your listing.
• Click on "Calendar."
• Select "Import/Export."
• Click "Export Calendar."
• Copy the iCal URL provided by VRBO.

1. Import an External Calendar to VRBO (to receive updates from other platforms):

• Follow the first three steps above to get to the "Import/Export" section.
• Click "Import Calendar."
• Give your calendar a name (e.g., "Airbnb Calendar or OwnerWebs calendar").
• Paste the iCal URL from the other platform (like Airbnb or your OwnerWebs calendar).
• Click "Import Calendar."

Connecting Your Airbnb & VRBO Calendars to Your OwnerWebs Website

Having your own direct booking website powered by OwnerWebs.com puts you in control of your brand and bookings. Seamlessly integrating your Airbnb and VRBO calendars ensures your website availability is always up-to-date, encouraging direct bookings without the fear of overlaps.

Here's how easy it is to sync your external calendars with your OwnerWebs.com website:

1. Obtain the iCal URLs: Follow the export steps mentioned above for Airbnb and VRBO to get their respective iCal links.
2. Navigate to your OwnerWebs Dashboard: Log in to your OwnerWebs account and go to your property settings or calendar section. Navigate to the "Details" tab and find the section about importing/exporting calendars. Reference the picture below.
3. Find the "ICS Calendar import" Option: There's three of them. One says "AirBnB ICS Calendar import link". The other says, "VRBO ICS Calendar import link". The other says, "Any Other ICS Calendar import link". Your OwnerWebs account can sync with unlimited ICS calendars from other platforms.
4. Paste the iCal URLs: You'll typically have the option to add multiple external calendar URLs. Paste the iCal link from Airbnb and the iCal link from VRBO into the designated fields.
5. Save Your Settings: Once you've added the URLs, save your changes. OwnerWebs will then automatically import and sync your availability from these platforms.

Similarly, you can also EXPORT your OwnerWebs calendar iCal link and import it into Airbnb and VRBO to ensure all platforms are communicating effectively. Look for the section that say "ICS calendar export url" option within your OwnerWebs calendar settings.

Best Practices for Seamless Calendar Management

While calendar sync is a powerful tool, here are some best practices to ensure smooth operation:

• Set an Availability Buffer: Consider adding a short buffer (e.g., a few hours or a day) between bookings on different platforms to account for cleaning and potential check-in/check-out overlaps. Most platforms and OwnerWebs allow you to configure this. This is best achieved by setting solid check-in and check-out times.
• Regularly Check Sync Status: While synchronization is usually automatic, it's a good habit to occasionally check your calendars across all platforms to ensure everything is in sync, especially after receiving a new booking or making manual changes.
• Understand Sync Frequency: Be aware that iCal sync isn't always instantaneous. The time it takes for calendars to update can vary between platforms. OwnerWebs syncs its calendars every 30 minutes.
• Prioritize Direct Bookings: While OTAs are valuable, encourage direct bookings through your OwnerWebs website. Direct bookings often come with lower fees and allow you to build stronger relationships with your guests, resulting in more loyalty and repeat bookings.

Take Control of Your Bookings with OwnerWebs.com

Managing a successful vacation rental business requires attention to detail, and calendar synchronization is a non-negotiable aspect of efficient operations. By understanding and implementing iCal sync across Airbnb, VRBO, and your own direct booking website with OwnerWebs.com, you can eliminate the headache of double bookings, save time, and provide a seamless experience for your guests.

Ready to take full control of your vacation rental bookings and build a professional direct booking website that integrates seamlessly with your other platforms? Visit OwnerWebs.com today and discover the power of having your own online presence. Say goodbye to double booking stress and hello to more happy guests and increased revenue!