📌 This article answers the following questions:
- How can I temporarily close my Booking.com or Airbnb listings without affecting my availability?
- How can I encourage direct bookings during periods of high demand?
- How do I decide which channels to close and for how long?
- How do I reopen my channels after closing them?
Why is this important?
Managing which sales channels are open is a powerful way to optimise your revenue:
Maximise your margins: During peak periods, prioritise your own booking engine to avoid commission charges.
Enjoy greater peace of mind: Suspend online sales during specific local events or when your property is undergoing maintenance.
Take control of your schedule: Choose exactly when and where your offers are visible.
Follow the step-by-step guide
Step 1: Access your calendar
The calendar is the central tool for managing your accommodation’s availability across all your sales channels:
In the side menu on the left-hand side of your screen, click on the ‘Calendar’ tab.
Then click on Availability & Prices.
Step 2: Access the quick actions for each channel
This feature allows you to manage the opening or closing of your sales channels (OTAs) without changing your rates or your overall availability.
Click on the Actions button.
Select Channels.
Step 3: Select the property
Choose the property to which you wish to apply your settings.
Select the relevant property from the drop-down list.
💡 Tip: This selection allows you to configure each accommodation independently without affecting the rest of your schedule.
Step 4: Select the sales channels to close
From the list of your connected channels (Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, etc.), choose the platforms on which you wish to suspend bookings:
Identify the channels to deactivate from the list displayed.
Tick one or more channels depending on your distribution strategy.
💡 Tip: Closing a channel takes effect immediately and helps protect your calendar from unwanted bookings.
Step 5: Set the closure period
Select the period for which you wish to close your property to bookings:
Today or tomorrow
This week or this month
A whole season
Custom dates
Step 6: Confirm the closure of your sales channels
Once you’ve set your preferences, finalise the process to update your schedule:
Click the Apply button.
📌 Good to know: Information about when you’re closed for business is instantly sent to all your connected channels via full synchronisation (XML).
Step 7: Refine your daily availability
To manage your offers precisely, go to the Detail view of your schedule:
Select the ‘Details’ view in your calendar.
Expand your services to view the details by accommodation unit.
Enable or disable your distribution channels on a day-to-day basis as required.
💡 Tip: This view allows you to tick and untick the boxes for the coming days to close channels with a single click!
You’re now in full control of your distribution strategy: adjust your channels in real time to maximise your direct revenue!
Key points
Closing channels does not affect your actual availability, only its visibility on third-party platforms.
Your direct booking engine remains the priority and stays active.
You can reopen your channels at any time by following the same procedure.