Listing on Booking.com, Airbnb and Expedia at the same time pays off: each platform brings different guests and occupancy goes up. But there's a downside — double bookings. A guest books a night on Airbnb, and ten minutes later the same night sells on Booking.com. A host cancellation damages your ranking, sometimes costs a penalty and always risks a bad review. Calendar synchronisation solves the problem.
Why overbooking is so damaging
For the platforms, a host cancelling a booking is one of the most serious violations. Airbnb may charge a cancellation fee and block your calendar for a while; Booking.com may relocate the guest at your expense and push your property down the search results. Repeated cases can cost you statuses such as Superhost, or even the account. And even without penalties, a guest left without accommodation in a foreign city will almost certainly leave a negative review.
Managing several calendars by hand works while bookings are few. But in high season, with requests coming in every day while the host is travelling or asleep, a mistake is only a matter of time.
Sync options
iCal sync is the free, built-in option: the platforms exchange calendar links. It suits a single property with modest demand, but it updates with a delay — from a few minutes to several hours — and shares only availability, not prices. A channel manager is a specialist service connected directly to the platforms. A booking on one platform closes the dates on the others almost instantly, and prices, restrictions and availability are managed from one screen. It's the standard for guest houses, hotels and owners with several flats.
What we do
- review your properties and platforms and pick the right method and service for your budget;
- set up iCal exchange between Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, Agoda and your website's calendar;
- connect a channel manager and map rooms and rate plans across every platform;
- align prices, minimum stays and arrival or departure restrictions;
- set up new-booking notifications on your phone;
- test everything: we create a test block and check how quickly it reaches every platform;
- train you or your manager to use the system.
How it works
- Audit. We list your properties, rooms and platforms and check current calendars for mismatches.
- Choosing a solution. We explain the difference between iCal and a channel manager using your own setup and help you choose a service.
- Connection. We set up the links and carry over existing bookings and blocked dates.
- Prices and rules. We create a single pricing policy that accounts for each platform's commission.
- Test and launch. We verify the sync on test dates and switch the system on.
- Ongoing support. We help when you add new properties or platforms.
An important caveat with iCal: if both calendars update with a delay, a window for double bookings remains. With a steady flow of guests we therefore recommend a channel manager — and during the switchover, a short buffer or manual booking approval.
Guide prices
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| iCal sync for one property | from 60 ₾ |
| Channel manager setup (up to 3 properties) | from 120 ₾ |
| Guest house or small hotel (several room types) | from 250 ₾ |
| Training on the system | from 40 ₾ |
The channel manager's subscription is paid directly to the provider; we'll help you choose a plan without overpaying.
Why choose us
- we tell you honestly when free iCal is enough;
- we test the sync before going live;
- we combine platform setup with the tech side — Wi-Fi, smart locks and a laptop for management;
- we work in Georgian, Russian and English;
- we stay in touch after launch.
