Simplify Your Short-Term Rental Management: Syncing Calendars Made Easy

Managing multiple short-term rental (STR) and midterm rental (MTR) properties on various platforms can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to keeping calendars in sync. If you're tired of juggling different booking schedules on Airbnb, VRBO, and other platforms, this guide is for you. We'll explore various calendar syncing options and provide step-by-step instructions to streamline your property management process.

Why Sync Your Calendars?

Syncing your calendars ensures you avoid double bookings and manage your reservations efficiently. It helps in maintaining accurate availability across all platforms, thereby improving guest satisfaction and optimizing your rental income.

Calendar Syncing Options

1. iCal (iCalendar)
2. Channel Managers
3. Property Management Software (PMS)
4. Manual Syncing

Step-by-Step Instructions for Syncing Calendars for midterm rentals

1. Using iCal (iCalendar)

iCal is a widely supported format for sharing calendar information across various platforms. Here's how to sync your Airbnb and VRBO calendars using iCal.

Syncing Airbnb Calendar with iCal

1. Log in to your Airbnb account.
2. Go to your listing and select 'Availability'.
3. Scroll down to 'Sync calendars'.
4. Click 'Export Calendar'.
5. Copy the provided iCal URL.

Syncing VRBO Calendar with iCal

1. Log in to your VRBO account.
2. Navigate to 'Calendar' under your property.
3. Select 'Import/Export Calendar'.
4. Click 'Export Calendar' and copy the iCal URL.

Importing iCal URL

1. Go to the calendar of the platform where you want to import the calendar (e.g., Airbnb or VRBO).
2. Select 'Sync calendars'.
3. Click 'Import Calendar'.
4. Paste the iCal URL and name your calendar.
5. Click 'Import'.

Repeat these steps for each platform to ensure all your calendars are synced. For detailed instructions, refer to Airbnb's iCal Sync Guide and VRBO's Calendar Sync Instructions

2. Using Channel Managers

Channel managers are tools that automatically sync your calendars across multiple platforms in real time. Popular channel managers include:

• Guesty
• Lodgify
• Hostfully

Setting Up a Channel Manager

1. Sign up for a channel manager service.
2. Connect your property listings by providing login details for each platform.
3. Map your property calendars** within the channel manager interface.
4. Enable automatic syncing to ensure real-time updates across all platforms.

For more detailed setup instructions, refer to the Guesty Setup Guide or Lodgify Setup Instructions.

Using Property Management Software (PMS)

Property Management Software often includes built-in calendar sync features. Popular options include:

• Hostaway
• BookingSync
• Tokeet

Setting Up PMS

1. Subscribe to a PMS that fits your needs.
2. Link your rental platforms by following the provided instructions.
3. Configure calendar sync settings within the PMS.
4. Verify synchronization by checking calendar updates across platforms.

Detailed instructions can be found on Hostaway's Getting Started Guide and BookingSync's Documentation

4. Manual syncing

Although less efficient, manual syncing involves periodically updating each calendar based on new bookings. This method is not recommended due to the high risk of human error and double bookings.

5. Auto calendar sync with Shmedium

Shmedium simplifies calendar management by automatically pulling calendar information from platforms like Airbnb, VRBO, and more. With Shmedium, you can:

• Centralize your booking information in one place.
• Automatically sync calendars across platforms.
• Avoid double bookings and manage reservations seamlessly.

Setting Up Shmedium

1. Sign up for Shmedium and log in to your account.
2. Connect your Airbnb, VRBO, and other accounts by providing the necessary credentials.
3. Allow Shmedium to access and sync your calendars.
4. Enjoy hassle-free calendar management with real-time updates.

For more information and to get started with Shmedium, visit Shmedium's website