Balkan Holidays had described itself as “the trusted travel company since 1966” but it has announced it has ceased trading – and all bookings have been scrapped
An award-winning British travel company has confirmed it has ceased trading – and all future holidays have been cancelled.
Balkan Holidays customers are now scrambling to make alternative arrangements as their breaks everywhere, including long-awaiting summer getaways, have been axed. The firm, established in 1966, said it “regrets to inform” customers it has closed down with immediate effect.
“We regret to inform you that Balkan Holidays Ltd has as of 24th of April 2025, closed for business in the UK. Clients currently on holiday will be unaffected,” a spokesperson for the company, which specialised in trips to the Balkan region of Europe said.
“The company remains solvent, but has ceased trading, 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.”
Have you been affected by the closure of Balkan Holidays? Contact webnews@mirror.co.uk
Balkan Holidays offered holidaymakers trips to Bulgaria, Croatia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Malta and Northern Cyprus. All those who had booked holidays to these places and others should refunds in the coming weeks. Those with the earliest departure dates, including this week, will be prioritised.
The tour operator was licensed to carry 27,817 Atol-protected passengers in the year to the end of March 2026 – and at its peak, served 130,000 holiday makers in a single year. It offered departures from 17 British airports, more than any other UK tour operator.
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.
But now holidaymakers affected by the collapse have been left frustrated. They have shared 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?”
It is another blow to the travel industry, which was decimated during the Covid-19 pandemic and experts say has largely struggled since then. Prices nowadays are impeding families, in particular, it has been argued in recent months.
And in March, Trafalgar Travel, a Guernsey-based travel agents, shut down after 42 years of trading. 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.
The number of UK travel agencies has dropped by nearly 18 per cent in the past five years. According to Statista, there were over 4,200 travel agency shops in March 2019, but that number fell to just 3,500 by June 2023.
