Balkan Holidays cancels future trips — confirmed on 24 April 2025, when the company officially ceased trading in the UK. Every forward holiday booking was cancelled, and all affected customers are entitled to a full refund. The company, which had operated for nearly 60 years, shut down without prior warning.
Why Balkan Holidays Cancels Future Trips – Closure Explained
Balkan Holidays Ltd announced its closure on 24 April 2025, ending six decades of operation in the UK travel market. The company posted a statement on both its website and Facebook page, confirming it had closed for business with immediate effect.
Importantly, the company did not go into liquidation. It remained solvent at the time of closure — it simply stopped trading. All forward holiday bookings were cancelled as a direct result, and the company committed to notifying and refunding every affected customer in full.
The statement expressed sincere apologies for the disappointment and inconvenience caused, asking customers for patience while refunds were being processed.
No prior public warning was issued. Customers found out through social media and direct communication, leaving many scrambling to make alternative arrangements at short notice.
Which Destinations Were Affected by the Cancellation
The operator specialized in Eastern and South-Eastern European destinations. The following countries were covered under its holiday packages:
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Montenegro
- Slovenia
- Malta
- Northern Cyprus
Customers with upcoming holidays to any of these destinations — including summer trips booked months in advance — had their bookings cancelled. Those with imminent departure dates were given priority in the refund process.
What Customers Need to Know About Refunds
Refund Process and Timeline
All customers with forward bookings are entitled to a full refund. Every affected client would be notified directly and refunded in full. Customers with the most urgent departure dates were prioritised first.
Key points to know:
- Refunds are processed in order of departure date
- No immediate customer action is required beyond waiting for notification
- The company specifically requested patience during the processing period
- Credit card holders can raise a Section 75 claim if refunds are unreasonably delayed
- Debit card holders can use the chargeback process through their bank
Customers Currently on Holiday
Travellers who were already abroad at the time of the announcement were not affected. The company confirmed that clients currently on holiday could complete their trips without disruption. Return arrangements remained in place for those already travelling.
Balkan Holidays’ History and Reputation in the UK Travel Industry
Founded in 1966, Balkan Holidays built a strong reputation as a specialist tour operator focused on Eastern Europe. At its peak, the company carried 130,000 travellers in a single year — a significant figure for a mid-sized operator.
Flights operated from 17 British airports, giving it more UK departure points than most operators of comparable size. ATOL protection covered 27,817 passengers, valid through March 2026 at the time of closure.
Its industry track record was well recognized:
| Award | Year |
| British Travel Awards – Bronze, Best Medium Holiday Company (East & South East Europe) | 2019 |
| British Travel Awards – Same category recognition | 2015 |
| Top-ranked in category (three consecutive years) | 2011–2013 |
The sudden closure came as a shock to both industry observers and loyal customers, many of whom had travelled repeatedly with the operator over the years.
easyJet Holidays Rebooking Discount for Affected Customers
Shortly after Balkan Holidays cancels future trips was confirmed, easyJet holidays responded with a practical offer for impacted travellers. The company announced a £50 per person rebooking discount for customers who lost their holiday due to the tour operator ceasing trading.
Paul Bixby, Chief Commercial Officer at easyJet holidays, expressed sympathy for both the Balkan team and customers whose travel plans were disrupted, stating the discount was intended as a gesture of support.
To claim the discount, customers needed to:
- Book a new seven-night holiday with easyJet holidays
- Email balkan@easyjet.com within 24 hours of making the new booking
- Include the original confirmation email, names and ages of all travellers, and the new easyJet holidays booking reference
- Submit the claim before 31 May 2025
Travel agents could also claim on behalf of their customers. Valid claims would receive the discount within 14 days of submission.
easyJet holidays is ATOL-protected and a member of ABTA. New bookings can be secured with a deposit of just £60 per person, covering flights, accommodation, and transfers on beach breaks.
Wider Impact – UK Travel Industry in Decline
This closure does not exist in isolation. It reflects a broader pattern of stress across the UK travel sector that has intensified since the Covid-19 pandemic.
The industry never fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels. Rising operating costs, changing consumer behaviour toward online booking platforms, and squeezed margins have placed many traditional tour operators under sustained financial pressure.
Just weeks prior, Trafalgar Travel — a Guernsey-based agency with 42 years of trading history — also shut down. Manager Charlie Coyle described it as a difficult decision driven by escalating expenses and a structural drift toward direct online bookings.
The numbers reflect a clear trend:
| Metric | Figure |
| UK travel agency shops (March 2019) | 4,200+ |
| UK travel agency shops (June 2023) | ~3,500 |
| Decline over five years | ~18% |
Source: Statista
Fewer specialist operators means reduced competition, less pricing diversity, and greater reliance on large-scale providers. For families already facing rising holiday costs, losing established mid-size operators makes affordable travel planning considerably harder.
Conclusion
When Balkan Holidays cancels future trips, the immediate priority for customers is securing their refund. Affected travellers are entitled to full refunds, with priority given to those with the nearest departure dates.
For those left without a holiday, the easyJet holidays rebooking discount offered a practical route forward. Customers still waiting on refunds should consider ATOL protection routes or Section 75 credit card claims as a backstop.
The wider picture points to ongoing structural challenges across the UK travel industry — challenges that began with the Covid-19 pandemic and have continued through rising costs and shifting booking habits. Understanding the available options remains the most useful step for anyone caught by this closure.
FAQs
Why did Balkan Holidays close down?
Balkan Holidays Ltd ceased trading on 24 April 2025. The company remained solvent but chose to stop all operations. No detailed public explanation was given beyond a formal closure statement and an apology to affected customers.
Will I get a refund if my trip is cancelled?
Yes. The company confirmed that all customers with forward bookings would be notified and refunded in full. Those with the most imminent departure dates were prioritized during processing.
Are customers currently abroad affected?
No. Clients already on holiday at the time of the announcement were unaffected and able to complete their trips as planned.
What destinations did Balkan Holidays cover?
The operator offered packages to Bulgaria, Croatia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Malta, and Northern Cyprus.
Did Balkan Holidays go into liquidation?
No. The company did not enter liquidation. It remained solvent at closure but ceased all trading and cancelled every forward booking.
Is there a rebooking discount available for affected customers?
easyJet holidays offered a £50 per person discount for impacted travellers who booked a new seven-night holiday and submitted a valid claim to balkan@easyjet.com before 31 May 2025.
How many passengers were ATOL-protected with this operator?
The company held ATOL protection for 27,817 passengers, with the licence valid through March 2026 at the time of closure.
What should I do if I have a future booking?
Wait for the refund notification. If no refund arrives within a reasonable timeframe, contact your credit card provider for a Section 75 claim or your bank for a debit card chargeback. Where eligible, the easyJet holidays rebooking discount provides an alternative route to rearranging travel plans.
