How to use Ical to update vacation bookings

Using iCal for hotels can be incredibly beneficial for managing reservations and availability across different platforms. iCal, short for iCalendar, is a common file format used to share calendar information between different applications and services. Hotels often use iCal to sync their room availability and reservations with various online travel agencies (OTAs) and booking platforms.

Here's how hotels can use iCal effectively:

1. Centralized Calendar Management: iCal allows hotels to manage their room inventory in one central calendar. Each room category or individual room can have its own iCal link.

2. Syncing with OTAs and Booking Platforms: Hotels can share their iCal links with platforms like Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, etc. This synchronization helps to prevent double bookings because changes made in one calendar (e.g., a reservation made on Airbnb) are reflected in the hotel's main calendar.

3. Real-Time Updates: Any update made in the hotel's system is reflected across all platforms that have access to the iCal link. For example, if a guest books a room through an OTA, the hotel's iCal is instantly updated to reflect that booking, reducing the risk of overbooking.

4. Automation: Some property management systems (PMS) integrate with iCal, allowing for automated syncing of calendars. This saves time and reduces the chances of manual errors.

5. Availability Control: Hotels can control the availability of their rooms by blocking dates or setting restrictions directly in their iCal.

However, it's important to note that while iCal is widely used for basic synchronization, it may have limitations in handling real-time updates. For more advanced features and better synchronization, hotels might opt for more robust channel management software or PMS that offer direct integrations with various booking platforms.

If you're managing a hotel or working in the hospitality industry, leveraging iCal alongside other tools could streamline your reservation management and enhance efficiency.

Using ICAL Calendar System for your bookings management With stay4you

1. log in 
2. Select Room Type you wish to update
3. Select the ICAL tab
4. Choose export or import according to whether you wish to upload bookings to your room type or download your bookings to a channel manager or to a calendar that you are using which excepts Ical. 
5. Update using the ical when required e.g. when you receive bookings etc.