Latest news with #BalkanHolidaysLtd
The Independent
11-05-2025
- The Independent
It's curtains for Iron Curtain Row
Outside 19 Conduit Street on the edge of Mayfair in London, the brass plate still gleams. Sofia House, as it is named, is the home of Balkan Holidays Ltd. This is the last surviving remnant of the capital's 'Iron Curtain Row'. Before the Berlin Wall fell in 1989 and the communist dominoes began to tumble, the north side of Conduit Street was punctuated by outposts of eastern European tourist enterprises. Berolina Travel represented the German Democratic Republic; Cedok championed Czechoslovakia. They were shop windows for prospective travellers to these now-extinct countries. East Germany merged with its larger, stronger Western neighbour, while Czechoslovakia split into its component parts. Bulgaria, in contrast, maintained its presence in Conduit Street. Balkan Holidays was installed in Sofia House in the 1960s and became a hub for cut-price adventure. They needed hard currency, we needed cheap holidays. One brochure recognised our priorities. The essential information section began: 'Cigarettes: Bulgarian are very cheap indeed, but you can get English ones for 4/- [20p] for 20 and you can also bring 200 into the country. English newspapers can be had at your hotel. You will like the food and the national drinks, fruit of all varieties is especially good. As for the yoghourt, it is the best in the world.' The line about gastronomy carries a touch of menace: 'You will like the food and the national drinks.' After all, this was a communist dictatorship answerable to the Kremlin. The flights were strictly Soviet, aboard ageing and incredibly noisy Tupolev aircraft. My first flight on the national airline, Balkan Bulgarian, was a charter from Gatwick. As the plane roared along the runway, the chief steward wandered through the smoking section asking for a light for one of his newly acquired American cigarettes. On arrival, the Cyrillic script may have looked indecipherable, but the resorts were conveniently labelled Sunny Beach and Golden Sands. British tourists found themselves mingling with East Germans and Czechoslovaks, whom they would never meet in normal circumstances – some Cold War detente beside the warm waters of the Black Sea. Unlike its former ideological neighbours in Conduit Street, Balkan Holidays took the collapse of communism in its stride. It had built up a useful business with a local focus – serving under-used airports such as Norwich, Humberside, Teesside and Southend. It's only a slight exaggeration to say that from some small regional airports you could fly off on holiday to anywhere you liked as long as it was Bulgaria. This traditional package holiday model, with local travel agents feeding Balkan Holidays with business, endured longer than many expected. However, on the eve of the summer season, the company threw in the towel, saying: 'We regret to inform you that Balkan Holidays Ltd has closed for business in the UK.' The news came as an unwelcome shock to tens of thousands of holidaymakers with summer bookings. But it was a highly unusual closure. Balkan Holidays did not follow Thomas Cook into financial oblivion: the firm remains solvent, and is handing back clients' cash as fast as it can. So why, with millions of pounds already taken and customers eager to travel, would a company lock the door and walk away? Competition, that's why. For a couple of decades after the no-frills revolution began in 1995 with the launch of easyJet, Balkan Holidays' business was largely unaffected as budget airlines concentrated on France, Spain, Portugal and Italy. But in 2025, they have all discovered Bulgaria. Look at the main Black Sea airport, Bourgas. This weekend Jet2 will fly in passengers from Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands and Manchester. EasyJet arrives from Gatwick and Manchester. Both companies offer holidays at prices that reflect their economies of scale and purchasing muscle. The ultra-low cost carriers have joined in: Wizz Air touches down at Bourgas from Luton, up against Ryanair on the same route. Balkan Holidays was one-250th of the size of Jet2, and it could not compete on price. With many hotel beds and plane seats to fill, the parent company took the view that cancelling the summer programme and handing back cash was the least bad option. The decision is bleak news for customers whose hearts and hopes were set on a cheap and cheerful escape from their local airport. It will be impossible for them to find an exact like-for-like replacement, and they may end up spending more for something sub-optimal. But Balkan Holidays has had a magnificent run – delivering plenty of joy to its niche market from its niche on Iron Curtain Row.
Wales Online
26-04-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Major travel company shuts down leaving holidaymakers scrambling
Major travel company shuts down leaving holidaymakers scrambling Customers are being urgently advised to check their bookings as the company has been forced to shut down Customers can expect refunds in the next few weeks (Image: Getty Images ) A renowned British travel firm has announced it is ceasing operations, leading to the cancellation of all future holidays. Customers of Balkan Holidays are now left scrambling to find alternative plans as their booked holidays, including eagerly anticipated summer trips, have been abruptly cancelled. The company, which was established in 1966, expressed its regret over the sudden closure. "We regret to inform you that Balkan Holidays Ltd has as of April 24, 2025, closed for business in the UK. Clients currently on holiday will be unaffected," a spokesperson for the company, known for specialising in holidays to the Balkan region of Europe, stated. 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." Article continues below Balkan Holidays had been offering travellers trips to destinations such as Bulgaria, Croatia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Malta and Northern Cyprus. Those who had booked holidays to these and other locations can expect refunds in the upcoming weeks, The Mirror reports. Customers with imminent departure dates, including those set for this week, will be given priority. Balkan Holidays, which previously held a license to carry 27,817 Atol-protected customers up until the end of March 2026 and served 130,000 holidaymakers at its peak, offered flights from 17 British airports – a record for any UK-based tour operator. Prior to its collapse, the firm had earned a bronze award in the "Best Medium Holiday Company to East and South East Europe" category at the British Travel Awards in both 2015 and 2019, with a three-year winning streak in the same category in 2011, 2012, and 2013. However, following its collapse, affected holidaymakers have taken to social media to express their discontent. One disgruntled customer wrote on X, "Absolutely devastated we were going in 36 days time! How are we meant to book anywhere now at this notice?". This latest collapse marks another setback for the travel industry, which had previously suffered significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic and has continued to struggle since, with rising prices posing a significant barrier to travel, especially for families, in recent months. In March, Trafalgar Travel, a Guernsey-based travel agency, was forced to shut its doors after 42 years of operation, with its management attributing the "very sad and tough decision" to increasing costs and a shift towards online holiday bookings. In a statement, manager Charlie Coyle said, "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," Bookings made prior to June 1 will be managed by Trafalgar Travel as per usual, with those made after this date being transferred. The UK has seen a significant decrease in the number of travel agencies over the past five years, with a drop of nearly 18 per cent. Statista reports that there were more than 4,200 travel agency shops in March 2019, but this figure had dwindled to just 3,500 by June 2023. Article continues below Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here .
Scottish Sun
25-04-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Gutted Scots ‘in limbo' after holiday cancels as travel firm stops trading
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) GUTTED Scots have been left "in limbo" after a travel firm shut up shop and cancelled their holidays. Balkan Holidays announced it had ceased trading as of today (April 24) - after almost 60 years in the business affecting thousands of UK customers. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Holidaymakers due to travel to resorts like Sunny Beach have been left gutted Credit: Alamy 3 Balkan Holidays LTD made an announcement on its Facebook page Credit: Balkan Holidays Ltd Holiday makers currently abroad have been told they will be able to complete their travels, but people with upcoming bookings have been told they will receive refund - but with no news as to when. Hundreds of Scots travellers are thought to be affected and some have taken to social media pages on Sunny Beach resort in Bulgaria - where Balkan operates, to vent their anger. Nell McVicker said: "Due to go July just got email saying cancelled and how sorry they are we always used Balkan brilliant company." Rachel Ward branded the firm a "joke" after taking payment for her holiday as recently as last month. She said: "Holiday cancelled with Balkan only paid off last month what a joke to take our money." Deborah Ann Murray said: "We are in total limbo. We don't know whether to book a new holiday or not because we just don't know if and when the refund will come through. "For some people that's not even an option because they have not got spare cash to just book another trip. It's just a mess." Mike Baxter said: "Our holiday at the moment has been cancelled, I was on to Ramsey travel this morning and they are trying to find out if they can use our money as credit on another flight, so we can still go although it may be slightly dearer, just have to wait and see what will happen and hope for the best Archie McGlashan added: "Used them for eight holidays to Bulgaria. Thought something was up when they pulled the Glasgow flights this summer. Sorry to see them go under." At its peak Balkan Holidays served 130,000 holiday makers in a single year. Baha Mar Holiday Resort In a statement shared to its Facebook and website, the tour operator offered its "sincere apologies" over the news. It said: "We regret to inform you that Balkan Holidays Ltd has, as of 24th of 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 direct have been urged to email the operator for their money back. However, people who booked via a travel agent will need to contact the third party to get a refund. Balkan are processing refunds in order of departure date. Balkan Holidays specialised in Bulgarian trips and set up almost 60 years ago, flying clients out to Burgas, on the country's Black Sea coast, beach holidays - as well as the capital of Sofia for skiing and snowboarding trips. It also ran holidays in Croatia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Malta and Northern Cyprus. The company offered departures from 17 UK airports - more than any other UK tour operator.
The National
25-04-2025
- Business
- The National
All holidays cancelled as travel firm closes after 60 years
Balkan Holidays has announced it "regrets to inform" customers it has closed down with immediate effect. The firm, which offered trips to Bulgaria, Croatia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Malta and Northern Cyprus, said all those currently on holiday with them can complete their travels. However, anyone with an upcoming holiday will have to accept a refund from the operator. READ MORE: Multi-million-pound renovation work on world-famous Scottish landmark finishes At its peak, the operator served 130,000 people a year from 17 British airports - more than any other UK tour operator. In a statement shared on social and its website, the tour operator said: 'We regret to inform you that Balkan Holidays Ltd has, as of 24th of 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." It added: 'For all direct clients, if you need to contact us about refunds, please email refunds@ If you booked through a travel agent, please contact them for your refund. All travel agents can email refundagents@ We will work as fast as we can and will prioritise refunds in departure date order.'
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
