A Guide to Getting Your Listing on Both Airbnb and VRBO

A Guide to Getting Your Listing on Both Airbnb and VRBO - Hostboost

As a host, one of the best ways to increase your occupancy and revenue is to increase your visibility. While you may have started on Airbnb, listing your property on multiple platforms, like VRBO, can expose you to a whole new audience of travelers. Different platforms attract different demographics, and being on both can significantly boost your bookings.

But how do you manage a listing on multiple sites without creating a logistical nightmare? It's easier than you think if you have the right tools.

Why You Should List on Both Platforms

  • Increased Exposure: You instantly double your potential audience. VRBO (Vacation Rentals By Owner) is extremely popular, especially with families and groups in North America.
  • Different Guest Demographics: Airbnb often attracts younger, more urban travelers and solo adventurers, while VRBO tends to attract families and older travelers looking for whole-home rentals for longer stays.
  • Reduced Platform Reliance: Diversifying your listings means you aren't 100% reliant on a single platform's algorithm or policies. If your visibility drops on one site, the other can still bring in bookings.

The #1 Challenge: Calendar Syncing

The single biggest risk of listing on multiple platforms is a "double booking"—when two different guests book the same dates on two different sites. This is a disaster that leads to a cancellation, a bad review, and potentially a penalty from the platform.

The solution is **calendar syncing**. This is a non-negotiable step. Both Airbnb and VRBO support iCal, a universal calendar format. You can export your Airbnb calendar link and import it into VRBO, and vice-versa. When a guest books on Airbnb, those dates will automatically be blocked off on your VRBO calendar, and vice versa.

How to do it:

  1. On Airbnb, go to your listing's **Pricing and availability > Calendar sync > Export Calendar**. Copy the URL.
  2. On VRBO, go to your calendar, click the **Import/Export arrows > Import Calendar**, and paste the Airbnb URL.
  3. Now, do the reverse. Export the VRBO calendar URL and import it into Airbnb.

Note: While iCal syncing is good, it's not always instant. There can be a delay of a few minutes to a few hours. For real-time, instant syncing, you'll need a channel manager or a PMS (Property Management System).

Keep Your Brand Consistent

When creating your VRBO listing, keep your branding consistent. Use the same high-quality photos, the same compelling listing title, and the same detailed description that you use on your Airbnb listing. A professional and consistent brand builds trust, no matter where the guest finds you.

The Central Hub for All Your Bookings

As you expand across multiple platforms, having a central hub becomes even more important. This is where your social media presence and direct booking website come in. You can market your single brand and give guests the option to book on whichever platform they prefer via your "link in bio" page.

To maintain a professional image across all these channels, our Social Media Templates provide the cohesive branding you need to look like a pro, no matter how many platforms you're on.

Build a brand that's bigger than any single platform.

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