Calendar Not Syncing
Keeping your calendars in sync is essential for managing availability and avoiding double bookings. If your calendar isn't syncing properly, let's work through the common causes and solutions.
Understanding Calendar Sync
Tourism Accelerator can sync with external calendars in two ways:
Import (iCal feed) – Pull bookings from external calendars into Tourism Accelerator
Export (iCal feed) – Push your Tourism Accelerator bookings to external calendars
Sync issues can affect one or both directions.
Sync Taking Too Long
Normal Sync Intervals
Calendar syncing isn't instant – here's what to expect:
Tourism Accelerator to external calendars: Updates typically within 15-30 minutes
External calendars to Tourism Accelerator: Updates every 15-60 minutes depending on settings
Manual sync: Immediate, but may take a few minutes to process
Force a Manual Sync
If you need changes to sync immediately:
Go to Settings > Calendar Sync or Integrations
Find the calendar connection
Click Sync Now or Refresh
Wait a few minutes for the sync to complete
External Bookings Not Appearing
If bookings from Airbnb, Booking.com, or other platforms aren't showing:
Verify the iCal URL
Check that the iCal URL from your external platform is correct
Ensure you copied the complete URL without any missing characters
Re-copy the URL from the external platform and update it
Test the iCal Feed
Copy your iCal URL
Paste it directly into your browser
You should see calendar data (it may download as a .ics file)
If you get an error, the URL may have expired or changed
Check Platform-Specific Settings
Airbnb:
Go to your Airbnb calendar > Availability settings > Export calendar
Copy the fresh iCal URL
Booking.com:
Access the extranet > Calendar > Sync calendars
Generate a new iCal link if needed
VRBO/Stayz:
Go to Calendar > Settings > Export calendar
Copy the updated iCal URL
Refresh the Connection
Remove the existing calendar connection
Add it again with a fresh iCal URL
Wait for the initial sync to complete
Tourism Accelerator Bookings Not Appearing Externally
If your Tourism Accelerator bookings aren't showing on external platforms:
Get Your Export URL
Go to Settings > Calendar Sync
Copy your Tourism Accelerator iCal export URL
This is the URL you provide to external platforms
Add to External Platform
Airbnb:
Go to Calendar > Availability settings > Import calendar
Paste your Tourism Accelerator iCal URL
Name the calendar and save
Booking.com:
Access the extranet > Calendar > Sync calendars
Add new calendar connection
Paste your Tourism Accelerator iCal URL
Google Calendar:
Go to Settings > Add calendar > From URL
Paste your iCal export URL
Allow time for initial sync
Verify Export Settings
Ensure your bookings are set to export
Check that the date range includes your bookings
Verify the export URL is active
Sync Errors and Warnings
"Invalid URL" Error
The calendar URL format is incorrect:
Ensure the URL starts with
https://orwebcal://Check for extra spaces or missing characters
Try copying the URL again
"Connection Failed" Error
Couldn't reach the external calendar:
The external platform may be temporarily unavailable
Check your internet connection
Try again in a few minutes
"Authentication Required" Error
The calendar requires login credentials:
Some platforms require reconnecting your account
Update your integration credentials
Re-authorise the connection
"Calendar Not Found" Error
The linked calendar no longer exists:
The external calendar may have been deleted
The iCal URL may have changed
Generate a new URL from the external platform
Duplicate Bookings Appearing
If you're seeing the same bookings multiple times:
Check for Multiple Connections
Go to Settings > Calendar Sync
Review all connected calendars
Remove any duplicate connections
Sync Direction Issues
Ensure you're not importing and exporting the same bookings
Each calendar should only be connected once
Availability Not Updating
If blocked dates aren't syncing correctly:
Check Date Formats
Different platforms may use different date formats:
Verify the dates in your external calendar
Ensure time zones are set correctly
Review Blocking Rules
Check how blocked dates appear in the iCal feed
Ensure your external platform interprets them correctly
Some platforms only sync "busy" status, not detailed bookings
Time Zone Issues
Bookings appearing at the wrong time:
Verify Your Time Zone Settings
Go to Settings > Account or General Settings
Check your time zone is set correctly (e.g., AEST, AWST)
Save any changes
External Calendar Time Zones
Ensure your external calendars are set to the same time zone
Google Calendar, Outlook, etc., all have time zone settings
Mismatched time zones can cause bookings to appear at wrong times
Best Practices for Reliable Syncing
Regular Maintenance
Check your calendar connections weekly
Verify iCal URLs are still valid
Remove unused connections
Avoid Sync Loops
Don't create circular syncs (A to B to A)
Keep sync directions clear and simple
Monitor for Issues
Regularly verify bookings appear on all platforms
Test with a dummy booking periodically
Address sync warnings promptly
When to Contact Support
Reach out if you experience:
Persistent sync failures despite following troubleshooting steps
Bookings consistently appearing at wrong times
Double bookings occurring due to sync issues
Error messages you don't understand
Contact us:
Email: [email protected]
Live Chat: Available Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm AEST
Include:
Which calendars are involved
Screenshots of error messages
When the issue started
Steps you've already tried
We'll help get your calendars back in sync.