Listing on both Airbnb and VRBO?

[Eliza Sparks]

I've been managing short term rentals through the Airbnb platform since 2019. I decided to only list through Airbnb vs listing on both Airbnb and VRBO as there didn't seem to be a great way to sync calendars on the two platforms at the time. 

As we enter into our slower Fall months for getting bookings, I'm realizing it's probably time I revisit only listing in one platform, so that we're maximizing as many days rented out as possible. 

I would love some recommendations on the best tools for syncing calendars and making listing on both Airbnb and VRBO as seamless as possible? Any tips for getting set-up in VRBO would be greatly appreciated as well. I'm also open to any stories or opinions on the the pros and cons of listing on both platforms.

Thank you!

[Javier Emilio Tirado]

@Eliza Sparks 

I just listed on VRBO as well for the low season. This is what they told me to sync the calendars: 

To export an Airbnb calendar

1. Log on to your Airbnb Dashboard
2. Go to your Listing/s on Airbnb and select the listing you want.
3. Go to Pricing and availability > Calendar sync.
4. Click Export calendar.
5. In the Export calendar window, copy the link, then paste it into your other iCal-based calendar.
6. Exit the Export calendar window.

To import a calendar to VRBO

1. Log on to your VRBO Dashboard
2. Go to the Listing you want
3. Go to calendar {located at the Left-hand side of the screen}
4. At the top you will be able to see Import & export
5. Select Import & export, select the arrow at the right of import a calendar
6. Paste the link you exported from the alternative Vacation Rental site in the space provided.

To export an VRBO calendar

1. Log on to your VRBO Dashboard
2. Go to the Listing you want
3. Go to calendar {located at the Left-hand side of the screen}
4. At the top you will be able to see Import & export
5. Select Import & export, select the arrow at the right of export a calendar
6. Select the check box right above where you link is provided that states
7. {Include tentative bookings. These will show up as blocked in the exported calendar.}
8. Select Copy URL
9. Go to the alternative Vacation Rental site {Follow the steps of how to import a calendar}

Then paste the link in the space provided.
To import a calendar to Airbnb

1. Go to Listings and select the listing you want.
2. Go to Pricing and availability > Calendar sync.
3. Click Import calendar.
4. Copy the URL for your non-Airbnb calendar into the Calendar address field.
5. Name the calendar you're about to import.
6. Click Import calendar.

So you would 1st:
Export your Airbnb Calendar and then Import it to your VRBO Calendar.
Afterwards you would:
Export your VRBO Calendar {after you unblock the dates} and then Import it to your Airbnb Calendar.

Hope this helps :)