What does it mean?
OCTO serves as an alternative API specifically designed to connect your TourCMS account with a select group of Online Travel Agencies (OTAs). While the primary TourCMS API remains a widely adopted and versatile option for various integrations, OCTO offers a dedicated pathway for OTAs who have specifically implemented this interface. As of May 2025, TourCMS utilizes the OCTO API to connect with the following agents:
If you, as an operator, wish to work with any of these OTAs, it's important to be aware that this connection relies on the OCTO API. Consequently, there are specific configurations and settings within your TourCMS account that you'll need to consider. The following sections will detail these essential points to ensure a smooth and successful setup for working with your chosen OCTO-connected agents.
What should I do?
Please review the below prior to enabling connection on TourCMS to an agent using OCTO specifications.
Geocodes
Accurate geocoding, using Google Place IDs, is essential for your products to be correctly displayed and booked through OCTO-connected OTAs. To check and update this information, go to PRODUCTS > TOURS > DESCRIPTIONS & IMAGES > KEY INFORMATION. Ensure that both the start and end locations for each distributable product have a full Google Place ID loaded in TourCMS. For a comprehensive guide on working with Google Place IDs, please see this support article.
Voucher information
To manage booking redemptions effectively with OCTO-connected agents, please configure the relevant settings in the PRODUCTS > TOURS > SETUP >OPERATIONS / SUPPLIERS section of your TourCMS account. Scroll down to find the voucher options. You can either utilise the QR codes automatically generated by TourCMS for each booking, or, if you have a connected subsystem managing this process, ensure the appropriate settings are reflected here. The specific method of redemption will ultimately depend on your operational processes as a supplier. For more information on this topic, please, visit this support article.
Mapping your tours for OCTO Distribution
To get your tours ready for distribution via OCTO, kindly contact our Support team here. Please include a list of the TourCMS tour Unique IDs you intend to distribute through these channels. The TourCMS team will need to map each product individually, taking into account its specific setup – whether it's a single departure, offers multiple start times per day, has various options, or a combination of multiple start times and options.
To identify your Tour IDs, navigate within TourCMS to PRODUCTS > TOURS > SETUP:
Content
Booking.com retrieves product content directly from the following TourCMS fields. Please ensure all information is accurate and adheres to the required formatting—such as using bullet points for lists. You may use basic HTML tags like <strong>, <em>, <ul>, and <li> to style your content. However, please note that HTML is strictly prohibited in the Short Description, Receipt Information, and any single-line content fields.
From TOURS > DESCRIPTIONS & IMAGES > KEY INFORMATION:
1. Geocode and geocode label - Start Point and End point (Google place ID is important)
2. Tour tags
From TOURS > DESCRIPTIONS & IMAGES > TEXT DESCRIPTIONS & VIDEO:
3. Tour Long Name
4. Short Description
5. Experience/ Highlights
6. Included
7. Excluded
8. Voucher redemption instructions (to be used post booking on customer vouchers).
9. Essential information
10. Long Description
From TOURS > DESCRIPTIONS & IMAGES > IMAGES:
11. Images - First one is cover, rest Gallery on Booking.com. Please try to load bigger images if available.
12. Image Description - please try to fill in on TourCMS.
From TOURS > SETUP > RATE TYPES:
13. Label 1 from rate types.