A British travel company has closed and cancelled all future holidays. Balkan Holidays said it had ceased trading as of April 24, and anyone with upcoming bookings will be made to accept refunds.
Customers who purchased directly have been asked to contact the company, while those who booked via a third party have been told to approach them. Balkan Holidays said it would be processing refunds in order of departure date, working as quickly as possible. Holidaymakers affected by the collapse have been left frustrated, sharing their anger on social media. One customer said on X: "Absolutely devastated we were going in 36 days time! How are we meant to book anywhere now at this notice?"
The company said in a statement on its social media pages and website: “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.
“May we kindly ask for patience as we process the refunds and appreciate your understanding. Thank you for your past business and please accept our most sincere apologies for the disappointment and inconvenience.”
It added: “For all direct clients, if you need to contact us about refunds, please email refunds@balkanholidays.co.uk. If you booked through a travel agent, please contact them for your refund.
“All travel agents can email refundagents@balkanholidays.co.uk. We will work as fast as we can and will prioritise refunds in departure date order.”
The company was started almost 60 years ago, specialising in trips to Bulgaria, expanding its range to Croatia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Malta, and northern Cyprus.
Serving 130,000 people a year at its peak, it offers flights from 17 airports across the UK, more than any other Britain-based tour operator. But Balkan Holidays has suffered in recent years, with numbers decreasing to just 27,817 Atol-protected customers a year.
Balkan was given the bronze award for "Best Medium Holiday Company to East and South East Europe" at the British Travel Awards 2019, and scooped the same gong in 2015. For three consecutive years; 2011, 2012 and 2013, it won that category.
