Holidaymakers have shared their devastation after a travel company has ceased trading with immediate effect, it has been confirmed, with all future holidays cancelled. Customers who had booked with Balkan Holidays are now scrambling to book fresh getaways after their plans were axed, with the company saying it 'regrets to inform' customers of the decision.
Balkan Holidays was established in 1966 and offered trips to Bulgaria, Croatia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Malta and Northern Cyprus. In a post to X, the company said: "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.
"The company has not gone into liquidation, however all forward holiday bookings have been cancelled."
The company has confirmed all affected holidaymakers will receive a full refund. Those with upcoming bookings, including holidays that were meant to take place this week, will be prioritised.
"May we kindly ask for patience as we process the refunds and appreciate your understanding," the statement added.
"Thank you for your past business and please accept our most sincere apologies for the disappointment and inconvenience."
However, some holidaymakers are not happy about the news, claiming they will be unable to rebook their long-awaited summer holidays at the last minute. "Absolutely devastated, we WERE going in 36 days time! How are we meant to book anywhere now at this notice," Scotty Thorpe wrote on X.
Another added they wouldn't be able to afford to rebook anywhere else ahead of their cancelled trip, due to take place in six weeks' time, "unless you refund in the next week."
"Such a shame our first 2 holidays abroad were with you. First to Golden Sands and the year after to Sunny Beach. This was before all the big tour operators started flying to Bulgaria. We had a great time both times. hope some day you come back to using the UK," said another.
Balkan Holidays was licensed to carry 27,817 Atol-protected passengers in the year to the end of March 2026. At its peak, however, it served a staggering 130,000 holidaymakers in one year. It offered departures from more airports than any other UK tour operator, with passengers able to book from 17 different hubs.
The tour operator was awarded bronze for "Best Medium Holiday Company to East and South East Europe" at the British Travel Awards 2019, having already bagged the same prize in 2015. In 2011, 2012 and 2013, it won in the same category.
If you have been affected by Balkan Holidays' closure, you can contact the company who will then process your refund. "For all direct clients, if you need to contact us about refunds, please email refunds@balkanholidays.co.uk," the statement added.
"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."
BelfastLive has contacted Balkan Holidays for comment.
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