The Travlocals calendar can be interconnected with those from other platforms in two ways:
- iCal code;
- channel manager;
Synchronizing the calendar via iCal
This type of synchronization is free, easy, but has some limitations.
Firstly, it is important to note that this is not a real-time synchronization. Even though we have set an update rate of every 2 minutes, this interval depends not only on us but also on the platforms we are interconnected with.
Thus, there have been situations where Airbnb and Booking.com have transmitted information with a delay of +2h, during which double bookings can occur.
Additionally, the iCal code cannot be used for accommodations that rent out similar subunits (e.g., 2 x double room, 4 x triple room). In this case, the iCal code can only close/open a period for all the similar rooms in question, and cannot close, for example, 2 out of 4 triple rooms during that period.
How to import/export Airbnb iCal link?
How to import/export Booking.com iCal link?
Synchronizing the calendar via a Channel Manager
Synchronizing the calendar via a Channel Manager involves additional fees for the host. These can be in the form of a monthly subscription or a commission per booking (depending on channel managers offers).
The Channel Manager offers real-time synchronization, with no limitations regarding information. It can also synchronize rates, extra fees, discounts, etc.
Moreover, it is effective even where the iCal code shows its limitations, specifically in the case of accommodations rented out in similar subunits (multiple similar rooms).
I am using a channel manager that is not compatible with Travlocals
Aligning the technicalities of a booking platform with a channel manager is a complex and costly process. Moreover, it requires both parties to open up to initiating a partnership.
To be justified in terms of invested resources, there must be at least 10-15 common hosts. Thus, it is impossible for us to interconnect with all the channel managers available on the market, whose number is in the hundreds.
For the moment, we have initiated discussions and procedures to interconnect with 3 channel managers, but only 2 were open for a partnership, HostAway and Smoobu, these being among the best performers globally.
If you are using another channel manager, and your accommodation has no multiple similar rooms, the listing can be bidirectionally synchronized via iCal (towards and from Travlocals). The results are usually very good.
If you do not want to use any of the automatic calendar synchronization methods, you should know that you can also manage the situation manually.
