Overview
Amenitiz can connect to OTAs in two different ways: through an XML integration or through an iCal calendar sync. Both keep your calendar in step across platforms, but they work very differently and serve different use cases. This article explains the difference so you can pick the right one for each OTA.
XML connections
An XML connection is a direct, automated integration with an OTA. Rates, availability, and reservations sync in real time between Amenitiz and the partner platform.
Sync is instant — changes you make in Amenitiz are pushed to the OTA immediately, and new OTA bookings appear in your Amenitiz calendar automatically.
Setup is finalised by Amenitiz support after you provide the required information (Property ID, room mapping, rate plans).
Best for the major OTAs you want fully managed through Amenitiz.
iCal connections
An iCal connection is based on a shared calendar file (.ics) between Amenitiz and another platform. The two platforms exchange availability through periodic refreshes of that file, not in real time.
Sync is delayed — the file refreshes on a schedule (typically every few minutes to an hour), so changes don't appear instantly.
Only availability syncs through iCal. New OTA bookings need to be added to Amenitiz manually.
Best for platforms that don't support an XML integration with Amenitiz.
XML vs iCal at a glance
XML | iCal | |
Sync speed | Real-time | Periodic (delayed) |
What syncs | Rates, availability, and reservations | Availability only |
New OTA bookings | Imported into your Amenitiz calendar automatically | Manual entry required |
Setup | Finalised by Amenitiz support after you send mapping details | You share calendar URLs between Amenitiz and the other platform |
Best for | Major OTAs (Booking.com, Expedia, Vrbo, Agoda, etc.) | Platforms without XML support |
⚠️ Warning
iCal isn't real-time. Check your iCal connections regularly, and manually add any reservations that come in from OTAs connected via iCal — they won't appear in your Amenitiz calendar on their own.
FAQs
Which connection type should I use?
Which connection type should I use?
Always prefer XML when the OTA supports it — you get full real-time sync of bookings and rates. Use iCal as a fallback for platforms that don't offer an XML integration with Amenitiz.
Can I use both XML and iCal at the same time?
Can I use both XML and iCal at the same time?
Yes. Each OTA connection is independent, so you can run XML connections for some platforms and iCal for others on the same property.
If an OTA supports both XML and iCal, which should I pick?
If an OTA supports both XML and iCal, which should I pick?
Pick XML. It syncs bookings and rates in real time, not just availability — there's no benefit to using iCal in that case.
Can I switch from iCal to XML later?
Can I switch from iCal to XML later?
Yes. If the OTA later supports XML with Amenitiz, contact [email protected] to migrate the connection. Once the XML connection is live, remove the iCal calendar links so the two methods don't run in parallel.