LONDON — The sun set on Balkan Holidays yesterday, April 24, 2025, and with it, the dreams of thousands of British holidaymakers. After nearly six decades of ferrying sun-seekers to Bulgarian beaches and ski slopes, the major tour operator announced it’s shutting down, canceling all future bookings and leaving customers scrambling. The news hit like a rogue wave, with families across the UK now facing a summer of refunds and rebookings—or no holiday at all.
The company, a staple since 1966, dropped the bombshell in a brief statement on its website. As of April 24, Balkan Holidays Ltd has ceased trading in the UK. No liquidation, they clarified, but every single holiday booked from now on is scrapped. Customers will get their money back, the company promised, though they’re asking for patience while refunds are processed. For a firm that’s been a trusted name for generations, the sudden closure feels like a betrayal to loyal travelers.
Reports flooded in of holidaymakers blindsided by the news. Some got emails informing them their long-planned trips—to places like Sunny Beach or Bansko—were off. Others stumbled across the announcement while checking their bookings online. One customer, set to fly in June, was told she had just 48 hours to pay again for the same holiday through another operator or lose her spot entirely. The chaos has sparked a mad dash to salvage summer plans, with rival travel agencies already swamped.
Balkan Holidays’ collapse isn’t just a blow to vacationers; it’s a dent in the UK travel industry. The company, which specialized in package deals to Bulgaria and nearby destinations, had carved out a niche over decades. Its website, now a digital gravestone, still lists deals that won’t ever happen: seven nights in Sofia, ski passes in Borovets, beachfront rooms in Varna. All gone. The firm expressed “sincere apologies” for the inconvenience, but for many, that’s cold comfort when flights and hotels are suddenly up in the air.
The shutdown’s ripple effects are already clear. Travel agents are fielding frantic calls, and consumer watchdogs are urging affected customers to check their insurance or card protections for quicker refunds. Those who booked directly with Balkan Holidays face a wait, with no clear timeline on when their cash will land back in their accounts. For now, the company’s phone lines are jammed, and its offices are eerily quiet.
No official reason for the closure was given. The statement was curt, almost clinical: trading has stopped, bookings are canceled, refunds are coming. Behind the scenes, whispers of financial strain have surfaced, though nothing’s confirmed. What is certain is the scale of the fallout—thousands of holidays axed overnight, from weekend getaways to once-in-a-lifetime trips.
Affected customers are advised to contact their travel insurers or card providers. Refunds will be processed by Balkan Holidays Ltd, with no set deadline. The company’s UK operations are closed, and no further bookings are being accepted.