In a surprise announcement, UK-based tour operator Balkan Holidays has officially ceased trading as of April 24, 2025, bringing an end to nearly six decades of operations.
Licensed to carry up to 27,817 ATOL-protected passengers for the year ending March 2026, Balkan Holidays had once catered to as many as 130,000 holidaymakers annually.
In a statement published on both its website and Facebook page, the company expressed deep regret over the closure:
“We regret to inform you that Balkan Holidays Ltd has, as of 24th 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.”
Customers who booked directly with the company have been advised to contact Balkan Holidays via email to arrange refunds, while those who booked through travel agents should reach out to their agent directly. Refunds will be processed in order of departure date.
Founded nearly 60 years ago, Balkan Holidays specialised in travel to Bulgaria, offering beach breaks to Burgas on the Black Sea coast, as well as ski and snowboard holidays in Sofia. Over the years, the company expanded to offer trips to Croatia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Malta, and Northern Cyprus, departing from more UK airports than any other tour operator—17 in total.
This news follows a troubling trend in the UK travel industry. Just last month, Trafalgar Travel, a Guernsey-based agency, shut down after 42 years of service. Rising costs and increased competition from online booking platforms were cited as reasons for the closure.
Trafalgar Travel confirmed that bookings made before June 1 will still be handled directly by them, while later bookings will be transferred to another agency. “This has been a very difficult time for our staff, but we are committed to ensuring a smooth transition for our clients,” said manager Charlie Coyle.
The number of UK travel agencies has fallen by nearly 18% in the last five years, according to Statista. From over 4,200 shops in March 2019, the total dropped to around 3,500 by June 2023.
Just weeks ago, Jetline Holidays, another major UK travel provider, also went into administration, leaving nearly 5,000 holidaymakers stranded. Many of those impacted had booked cruise packages with companies such as Princess Cruises and Cunard, only to have their trips cancelled due to “breach of contract.” Some travellers had to pay for their holidays again or risk losing them altogether.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) advised affected Jetline customers to review their flight e-tickets carefully. While some package bookings remained valid, those who booked only cruises or accommodation without flights may not be eligible for ATOL protection.
One frustrated customer shared, “Our holiday, including flights, hotels, and a cruise, has completely disappeared. We can’t get hold of Jetline at all.” Another said they were told to repay within 48 hours or their trip would be cancelled.
While the collapse of Balkan Holidays is disappointing, some industry insiders note that the company’s early decision to cease operations now—rather than continue trading and risk deeper complications for customers—is a responsible one.
