Latest news with #AlexanderStoyanov
Daily Record
25-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Jet2 offer reduced deals to Bulgaria as Balkan Holidays cease trading
Jet2holidays has announced cut price holidays to Bulgaria in the wake of the sudden closure of travel operator Balkan Holidays . The package holiday company announced it's ceasing trading from today (Friday, April 25). While Balkan holidays say no one will be 'left out of pocket', Jet2holidays is now offering £100 off bookings to the country per person in what they call a bid to 'make it easier' for customers affected. Balkan Holidays was established in 1966 and at it's height it carried more than 130,000 passengers in a year. It operated flights to Bulgaria's Bourgas area in the summer for beach holidays and had a winter programme to Sofia, the gateway to the country's ski resort Vitosha. Customers could also fly to Croatia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Malta and Northern Cyprus with the company from more than 17 UK airports But they announced their immediate closure today with the UK's managing director, Alexander Stoyanov, saying: 'It is really sad that the company should cease trading in the UK after all these years. 'The company is solvent, but it has become increasingly difficult to be competitive and profitable in the UK. 'Nobody will be left out of pocket and all suppliers will be paid and I thank them sincerely for their support over the years." Jet2holidays said its offer has been launched in response to increased demand for bookings to Bulgaria. They are offering customers who book for holidays to Bulgaria a £100 per booking discount using the code BULGARIA100. This applies to all summer 2025 and 2026 holidays. And the company says the offer can be used in conjunction with others. Customers can get £100 per person off bookings if they have a Jet2 account. Those without one can get £90 per person off. The offers are also available to use alongside holidays with free child place holidays. Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2holidays said: 'The closure of Balkan Holidays is very sad news indeed, and our thoughts are with everyone who is impacted. 'We know there are many customers wanting to enjoy their well-deserved holidays to the Bulgarian sunshine, so we are making it easier for them by offering them money off, as well as a simple and easy way to book.' Those who have already booked with Balkan Holidays should expect refunds in the coming weeks while customers currently abroad with the company will be unaffected and those with forward bookings will be refunded. Bulgaria's Black Sea coast has become an increasingly popular choice with holidaymakers thanks to its affordability. It's known for its extensive coastline with popular resorts like Sunny Beach, Golden Sands and Nessebar. It's an attractive option for holidaying on a budget as it remains cheaper than other European resorts. And it has year round appeal too. In the winter it is a draw for skiers and snowboarders with popular resorts like Bansko and Borovets providing plenty of powder for winter sports enthusiasts at more affordable prices than other places.
Metro
25-04-2025
- Business
- Metro
Major UK travel company forced to shut with all future holidays cancelled
A major UK travel company has been forced to shut its doors, with all future holidays under its service now cancelled. After nearly 60 years of providing package holidays, Balkan Holidays has ceased trading as of April 24. The operator, which launched in 1966, specialised in Bulgarian holidays and offered departures from 17 UK airports – more than any other British tour operator. It also ran trips to Croatia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Malta and Northern Cyprus. At its peak, the company served 130,000 travellers a year. However, in recent years, figures have dropped significantly, and the provider was licensed to carry just 27,817 ATOL-protected passengers in the year to the end of March 2026. Travellers currently on holiday with the provider will be able to complete their travels as normal, but anyone with upcoming bookings will have no choice but to accept refunds. If you're one of the holidaymakers concerned you'll find yourself out of pocket, customers who booked directly with the operator have been asked to contact them to arrange a refund. Those who booked trips via a third party or travel agent have been advised to contact the agent directly. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. In a statement shared on its social media accounts and website, the tour operator offers its 'sincere apologies' to customers. It read: '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 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.' Balkan Holidays Ltd UK managing director Alexander Stoyanov said that while the company is solvent 'it has become increasingly difficult to be competitive and profitable in the UK'. In a separate statement he added: 'It is really sad that the company should cease trading in the UK after all these years. 'Nobody will be left out of pocket and all suppliers will be paid and I thank them sincerely for their support over the years. I am really sorry to disappoint our loyal customers and the fantastic travel agents who have booked holidays with us for this summer and beyond and have given us so much business over the years; all customers will be refunded in full. 'Based in London is a fantastic, dedicated team of travel professionals, some I have personally worked with since I joined the company 26 tears ago and unfortunately redundancies are unavoidable. We were hoping to celebrate sixty years in business next year, but it is not meant to be.' Customers have already expressed their disappointment online. Under Balkan Holidays X post @ScottyThopre26 wrote: 'Absolutely devastated we WERE going in 36 days time! How are we meant to book anywhere now at this notice.' Another @vonisred wrote: 'Such a shame our first two holidays abroad were with you. This was before all the big tour operators started flying to Bulgaria. We had a great time both times. Hope someday you come back to the UK.' Another user @moorebhoy80 described the news as 'sad'. They wrote: 'Balkan holidays were great value for money and never had a problem with them.' More Trending It's not the only travel agency to close its doors in recent months. According to online data site Statista, there were over 4,200 high street travel agency shops in March 2019, compared to just 3,500 in June 2023, an 18% decline in five years. Guernsey-based travel agency Trafalgar Travel also closed down last month, after 42 years of business. Agency bosses said they made the 'very sad and tough decision' due to rising business costs and a significant shift to online holiday bookings. Metro has contacted Balkan Holidays for comment. If your package holiday operator cancels your holiday, it's their responsibility to reimburse you for any parts of the holiday you booked through them. This typically includes flights, accommodation and activities, but not anything booked outside of that package. If you booked directly with the company, you'll need to contact them for a refund. If you used a travel agent or third party, speak to them instead. They will be responsible for processing your refund. Most UK package holidays are covered by the ATOL scheme (Air Travel Organiser's Licence), which means you'll be entitled to a full refund if you haven't yet travelled, or help getting home if you are already abroad. You are generally entitled to a refund within 14 days of the cancellation, according to Citizens Advice. It's also worth checking your travel insurance too. Some policies may cover additional costs for cancellations. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: Italian island with perfect 'little Tahiti' beach gets new direct UK route MORE: 'The only place that still does free tapas': Your favourite Spanish cities that aren't Barcelona or Madrid MORE: European gem that's 'better than Monaco' is 23°C in May with £55 flights
The Independent
25-04-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Thousands of Brits have their holidays cancelled as major holiday company abruptly closes
Thousands of British travellers have had their holidays cancelled after a major travel provider abruptly closed on Thursday. As of 24 April, operations by Balkan Holidays shut in the UK, with 'all forward holiday bookings' cancelled after almost 60 years of trading. The travel provider started operations in 1966 with summer holidays to Bulgaria, Croatia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Malta and northern Cyprus, as well as winter ski trips, on offer to travellers. Holidays by the brand departed from 17 British airports and served over 130,000 travellers in one year at the height of operations. Before its closure, the travel operator held an Atol licence to protect just 27,817 passenger trips until the end of March 2026. Although travellers currently on holiday will be unaffected by the closure, any upcoming bookings have been cancelled. Balkan Holidays said in an online statement: '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 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.' Holidaymakers who have bookings with Balkan were told to contact them directly or request a refund from their travel agent. The former travel provider added that it will 'work as fast as we can' and 'prioritise refunds in departure date order'. Travellers due to take off this year shared their shock at the news on social media. One X/Twitter user replied: 'Absolutely devastated we WERE going in 36 days time! How are we meant to book anywhere now at this notice.' 'This is a disgrace we were flying with you in 6 weeks so unless you refund in the next week we can't afford to book anywhere else. Terrible way to treat people scum!', wrote another. Balkan Holidays UK managing director Alexander Stoyanov said that it has become 'increasingly difficult to be competitive and profitable' in the UK. He added that 'nobody will be left out of pocket' following the closure.
