The MyVR calendar can be synchronized with most any outside calendar that supports importing and exporting. By synchronizing the MyVR calendar, there is a single, centralized place to view accurate availability, and all updates happen completely automatically.
Note: If using the Full Integration channel management feature, calendar sync is not necessary and may cause issues
Article contents
Install the Calendar Sync app
In order to begin syncing calendars, the first thing to do is install the free app.
Step 1: Navigate to Channels > Calendar Only
Step 2: Select the Basic Calendar Sync App:
Step 3: Click to install the app:
Create a connection
Step 1: For each channel (e.g. Airbnb) or calendar type (e.g. Google) to be synced, establish a new connection. Within the app, click on the New Connection button:
Step 2: Choose which channel or calendar type to connect:
If the specific channel or calendar type is not listed, choose the generic iCal option:
Step 3: Name the connection:
Import a calendar
Step 1: Navigate to Channels > Calendar Only > Basic Calendar Synchronization. Choose View by Connection:
Step 2: Click Manage next to the Connection to import from:
Step 3: Click Set Up Import next to the property's calendar to be synced:
Step 4: Enter the calendar link provided by the channel or external calendar. If available, instructions on how to find the calendar link will be provided in the blue box at the top. Choose how the events from this calendar should be reflected in MyVR; typically, the import will be for reservations, so Reserved would be selected. NOTE: Selecting Reserved or Unavailable will block the calendar while selecting Available or Tentative will not block the calendar.
Users have the option to record imported events as reservations. Turning on this feature will not only create a calendar event but also create a reservation "shell" using the information provided in the calendar feed. These can be found in the Reservations > Pending Imports section where they can be confirmed as reservations.
Note: Recording reservations from a calendar feed moves management of the reservation to MyVR. Do not turn on this feature if you intend to manage the reservation at the original source, as MyVR will not be informed of cancellations or other changes.
Once an import has been created, users may view and change settings on the export, as well as view the syncing history.
In the Overview tab, users can see the most recent MyVR imports of the calendar:
Force immediate sync by clicking Sync Now:
In the Advanced Settings tab, there are several controls:
Auto Import Calendar
Turn off the Auto-Import function to pause an import. Note: the only way the calendar will import with this setting off is to manually sync using the Sync Now button on the Overview tab.
Some calendars like Airbnb will include events that are not reservations. Turning off the Include Non-Reservation Events toggle will not import events that are deemed to be non-reservation events. If availability preferences on Airbnb have a Booking Window that is set to 6 months into the future, then a non-reservation event will be included in the iCal feed to block 6 months in the future forward. In this case, ignore the non-reservation Booking Window event by turning off the Include Non-Reservation Events setting. Note: It will be necessary to manually remove any non-reservation events that were previously synced to the calendar.
Record As Reservations
When checked, calendar events can be recorded as reservations.
When calendar events are imported as reservation but do not have enough information to make a complete reservation in the MyVR system, they end up in the Reservations > Pending Imports view. From this view, confirm and import these pending reservations by entering the data that is missing.
Clear All Calendar Events
clear every event that has been created in MyVR based on this import. Note: Clearing all calendar events will also remove all Reservations > Pending Imports that have been generated by the Record as Reservations feature.
Adjust Dates
Lastly, if the events that are imported are showing an incorrect start or end date, adjust how MyVR interprets the imported calendar to make the events appear accurately in MyVR.
Export a calendar
Step 1: Navigate to Channels > Calendar Only > click calendar app
Step 2: Click Manage next to the calendar type to export
Step 3: Choose the property of which calendar needs to be shared. Click Set Up Export.
Step 4: Copy the unique MyVR calendar link that is generated and add it to the channel or external calendar. If available, instructions on how to add the calendar link will be provided in the blue box at the top.
Once an export link has been created, users can view and change settings on the export, as well as view the syncing history.
In the Advanced Settings section of the settings, choose which events from the MyVR calendar they would like to export; typically, users will be exporting reserved and unavailable dates, so select Reserved and Unavailable. This way anything blocking the MyVR calendar will be included in the export.
Users also have the ability to make sure that the calendar events are using the correct time zone, and to limit how far into the past and future to include events.
Channels List
A partial list of channels and calendar types we support:
- Airbnb
- Booking.com
- Desktop
- FlipKey
- Vrbo
- TripAdvisor
- VacationRentals.com
- VRBO
- Yahoo!
Other channels we can sync include 9Flats, Roomorama, and any other channel that supports the iCal standard for calendar syncing.
Note: Booking.com does not allow for calendar only syncing. However, MyVR offers Full Integration syncing with Booking.com which includes calendar syncing.
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