Agents have expressed disbelief and sadness at the news Balkan Holidays has ceased trading in the UK after nearly 60 years.
Announcing the news yesterday that Balkan was closing its UK business, UK Managing Director Alexander Stoyanov said the company remained solvent but said: “It has become increasingly difficult to be competitive and profitable in the UK.”
All 19 employees of the company will be made redundant, although a spokesperson said: “Redundancies will not be immediate as there is much to be done before closing the London office, including processing refunds for the forward bookings.”
EasyJet holidays and Jet2holidays immediately responded to the closure announcement with discounted offers on packages to Bulgaria, with easyJet offering £50 off for Balkan customers and Jet2 offering discounts of £100.
After hearing the news, many agents posted on Travel Gossip’s Facebook group to say how fond they were of the brand and the staff, particularly Head of Sales and Brand Lynsey Jones, Regional Sales Manager Natasha Smith and former RSM Wayne Szczambura who left in September last year to join Newmarket Holidays.
One agent praised Balkan’s ‘knowledgeable and friendly staff’, as well as a ‘lovely trade team’ who were ‘always on hand’. The agent added: “Had some great training with you all.” Others described Balkan as ‘such a renowned company’, a ‘stalwart of the mainstream package industry’, and ‘a brilliant company’.
Aother said: “So sad to hear this. I was always a big fan of Balkan. Much love to all the team.”
Suntransfers Global B2B Director Andy Baker, who started his travel career with Balkan in 1996, said ‘a little bit of me died when reading the news’.
He described Balkan as ‘a fantastic company and a great bunch of people’, adding he travelled to Bansko with Balkan last month.
Andy told Travel Gossip: “As my first proper job after leaving uni in 1996, I learned my trade there starting off in reservations, through to customer service and eventually sales. It’s dreadfully sad as Balkan were one of the true specialists that had for years stayed solid against the mass market big guys and OTAs.
“I remember my time there fondly. Last month I went back to Bulgaria with Balkan for the first time in 25 years and was so impressed with their in-resort presence, the standard of the product and the service that they provided.
“This will be a real big miss in the industry and a little bit of me died when reading the news. My thoughts are with Alex and all the team there.”
Hays Personal Travel Consultant Simon Morgan told Travel Gossip: “I was deeply saddened to hear that Balkan are to cease operations in the UK. I fondly recall my very first educational back in 1989 to Sunny Beach and Nessebar. It’s a huge loss to our industry and my heart goes out to the enthusiastic and passionate people that made Balkan such a great company to do business with. They will be sorely missed.”
Different Corners Travel owner David Gregg said Balkan had ‘a great low cost ski product and always lovely helpful staff’, adding the operator and its team ‘will be missed’. Westoe Travel Director Graeme Brett said: “So sorry for all the staff especially the amazing Lynsey,”
Travel agent Peter Rintoul said: “Balkan was always a great seller, they did really well from regional airports too.”
Latin Routes Head of Trade Relations Gaynor Atherton said: “I remember using them back when I was a travel agent and right back to when I was a YTS 35 years ago. I booked so many trips with them for my clients to Bulgaria. I’m shocked and saddened.”
Travel agent Tracy Jane Lowe said: “It’s a sad day for a company that looked after their clients and also worked well with their agents too.
She told Travel Gossip: “I sold a lot of their holidays in Sunny Beach as well as the ski resorts. I was also lucky enough to experience a fam trip with them – I learnt so much. I’ve also travelled with them myself and my family and always found them to be fabulous. They will be sadly missed in the travel industry I’m sure by many.
“They have left a mark in many hearts but I wish all the hard working team all the best for the future and do hope they find success again the industry.
“Lynsey, Tash and Wayne when he was there always went out of their way to make sure agents were supported and that something that’s treasured by us agents.”
Agent Lucinda Holmes said: “I’ve had four trips with them to sunny beach and each time has been better than the last. My kids love it. It’s such a shame to lose another small independent tour operator for the UK market. My thoughts are with all the team at this hard time.”
And Graham Willingham said: “I was manager of Dawson and Sanderson in Hull for many years and enjoyed a close working relationship with Balkan and the BDMs. The educational for Balkan’s 40th anniversary was an amazing event that will never be forgotten.”
