A long-standing UK travel company, Balkan Holidays, has announced it has ceased trading, leaving thousands of holidaymakers with cancelled trips and unanswered questions.

In a shock statement released today (Thursday, April 24), the company confirmed that it has shut down all UK operations effective immediately, ending almost six decades of holiday planning and travel services. The company stressed it had not entered liquidation, but said all forward holiday bookings are cancelled, and refunds are being processed.

‘Sincere Apologies’ From Balkan Holidays

In a post shared on its website and social media channels, Balkan Holidays said:

We regret to inform you that Balkan Holidays Ltd has, as of 24th of April 2025, closed for business in the UK.
The company has not gone into liquidation, however all forward holiday bookings have been cancelled.
All clients will be notified and refunded in full.”

The company thanked customers for their support and offered apologies for the inconvenience, while asking for patience as it works through the refund process. Customers who booked directly are encouraged to email Balkan Holidays, while those who booked via travel agents should contact those third parties.

Refunds in Progress, Based on Departure Date

The tour operator stated that refunds would be issued in order of departure date, with priority given to the most imminent travel plans.

Customers currently on holiday with Balkan will be allowed to complete their trips as planned, though future bookings have been voided.

Balkan Holidays: A Legacy in Travel

Founded nearly 60 years ago, Balkan Holidays initially specialised in trips to Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast and ski resorts, before expanding to destinations like Croatia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Malta, and Northern Cyprus. The operator once flew out of 17 UK airports, more than any other tour operator in the country, and carried over 130,000 passengers annually at its peak.

Travel Industry Challenges

The closure of Balkan Holidays is the latest blow to the UK travel industry, which has seen a steady decline in traditional travel agencies. According to Statista, the number of travel shops fell by 18% from March 2019 to June 2023.

The announcement follows the recent collapse of Jetline Holidays, which left nearly 5,000 holidaymakers stranded, and the closure of Trafalgar Travel, another long-standing agency.

In Jetline’s case, many customers were left with invalid bookings, with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) confirming that some packages were not covered by ATOL protection.

Advice for Affected Holidaymakers

Those impacted by the Balkan Holidays shutdown should:

• Check their booking confirmation for refund instructions.
• Contact Balkan Holidays directly if booked independently.
• Reach out to their travel agent if booked via a third party.
• Contact their bank or credit card provider if payment was made by card and a refund is not promptly issued.

What’s Next?

While Balkan Holidays has not gone into formal insolvency, the long-standing brand’s sudden exit from the market highlights the ongoing volatility in the travel industry. Customers are advised to monitor official updates and prepare for possible delays in refunds.