Balkan Holidays, a long-standing UK travel company, has announced it has ceased trading, leaving thousands of holidaymakers with cancelled trips and unanswered questions. In a shock statement released today, April 24, 2025, 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. In a post shared on its website and social media channels, Balkan Holidays stated: "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 will 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.
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.
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 includes checking their booking confirmation for refund instructions, contacting Balkan Holidays directly if booked independently, reaching out to their travel agent if booked via a third party, and contacting their bank or credit card provider if payment was made by card and a refund is not promptly issued.
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. The news comes after Trafalgar Travel, a Guernsey-based travel agent, shut down last month after 42 years. Bosses blamed the "very sad and tough decision" on rising costs and the shift to online holiday bookings.
As you can imagine, this has been very difficult for staff at this time, however we all remain 100% committed to ensuring a very smooth transfer of bookings to another agency," said manager Charlie Coyle. Bookings before June 1 will be handled to Trafalgar Travel as usual, while those afterwards will be transferred.
Last month, Jetline Holidays also went bust, leaving nearly 5,000 British holidaymakers stranded. Many of those affected had booked cruise holidays with Princess Cruises, Cunard, and Holland America, which were cancelled due to a "breach of contract." Some travellers were forced to pay again for their holidays or risk having their trips cancelled altogether.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) issued warnings to affected customers, advising them to check their flight e-tickets, as only some packages remained valid. However, those who booked only cruises or accommodation without flights found themselves without ATOL protection, meaning they may not get their money back. “We understand that Jetline acted as an agent for other ATOL holders, so not all bookings are covered,” the CAA confirmed.
Holidaymakers affected by the collapse took to social media to voice their frustration. One customer said: “Our holiday, including flights, hotels, and a cruise, has completely disappeared. We can’t get hold of Jetline at all.” Another added: “I was told I had 48 hours to pay again, or my holiday would be cancelled.”
The travel industry is facing unprecedented challenges, and the closure of Balkan Holidays reflects a broader trend affecting many traditional travel agencies. With the rise of online booking platforms and changing consumer preferences, the landscape of travel planning is evolving rapidly, leaving established companies struggling to adapt.
As the dust settles from this latest closure, many are left wondering what the future holds for travel in the UK. Will more companies follow suit, or will the industry find a way to recover and thrive in a new digital age? Only time will tell, but for now, the impact on holidaymakers is immediate and significant.
