Trade reacts to 'heartbreaking' Balkan Holidays closure 

The trade has paid tribute to Balkan Holidays after the Bulgaria specialist revealed it had ceased trading in the UK.

The tour operator announced on Thursday, April 24 that the decision had been made because it had “become increasingly difficult to be competitive and profitable in the UK”, adding that all forward bookings would be refunded and all suppliers would be paid.

Gary Lewis, chief executive of The Travel Network Group, said the news was “heartbreaking” for Balkan Holidays’ staff, but he praised the company for its “commendable” action.

“It’s sad for the industry to see the loss of a strong specialist operator,” he said, adding: “The fact that they have taken responsible action to close their doors while still solvent to ensure partners do not lose money is really commendable.”

 

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More: Balkan Holidays to close in UK

 

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The Advantage Travel Partnership commercial director John Sullivan said the consortium was “truly saddened”.

“We’ve enjoyed a longstanding partnership with Balkan for many years and it’s a brand that for many of our members and their customers brought Bulgaria as a destination to the masses and put it on the map as a mainstream destination,” he said.

He added: “We’re truly saddened to see the demise of such a recognised specialist brand and our thoughts are with all those that are impacted.”

Idle Travel director Tony Mann also described the news as “really sad”, noting the company had been trading for nearly 60 years.

He said: “We have sent many customers on Balkan Holidays trips over the years, especially from our local airport Leeds Bradford.”

He sent his best wishes to the company’s staff and added that Idle Travel had immediately started contacting customers who were booked onto upcoming trips.

“We’ve been advising them of the situation and reassuring them that their money is protected,” he said.

Spear Travels Group managing director Peter Cookson said the group had six live bookings with Balkan Holidays.

“It’s a big disappointment for our customers but at least it’s a full refund situation, rather than having to make claims,” he said.

He said he was “quite surprised” about the company’s announcement, adding: “It’s always a pity to see a long-established tour operator having to close their doors.”

Arundel Travel director Helen Parry said Balkan Holidays’ “fabulous team” were in her thoughts.

“Our team was at an event with them a few weeks ago hearing all about their brilliant product range,” she said.

 

“It’s a great product that provided affordable holidays suiting all markets, a wonderful destination and the company and product will be missed.”

She added that one of her first fam trips was with Balkan Holidays to Sunny Beach more than 20 years ago.

Henbury Travel director Richard Slater said: “We did a few bookings with Balkan last year but haven’t had any this year as the appetite hasn’t been there.

“It’s always disappointing and sad to see small operators making these decisions because we need a market filled with businesses of all scale and size.

“However, it is admirable they have taken this decision now rather than letting it get further down the line, which would have resulted in problems for customers.”

 

Ashley Quint, director at TravelTime World, said: “It’s a real shame to lose another specialist operator. It brings it home that we should be supporting all the independent and specialist operators more, even if there is an allure from the biggest package operators with big incentives and promises, even if the cheaper option is sometimes the simpler one. 

 

“It also questions what the summer is going to look like generally in the mass-market package arena, with them bailing on the summer season so early.”