Holidaymakers have been left ‘devastated’ after Balkan Holidays shut down with immediate affect, cancelling hundreds of holidays.
But Jet2 could be coming to the rescue, as they’re giving £100 off on all trips to Bulgaria – the destination that Balkan specialised in.
A statement from Jet2holidays said they’re ‘making rebooking simple and easy for those impacted by the closure of Balkan Holidays.’
By using the discount count BULGARIA100, customers can save £100 per booking on all Summer 25 holidays to the European hotspot.
The deal even extends to Summer 26 holidays too.
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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.’
Jet2 is already in the midst of their Big Jet2 Price Drop, which gives customers £100 off per person if they have a myJet2 account (and £90 off without one).
Combined, it means the two deals can offer up some pretty big savings, both of which can be combined with their Free Child Place Holidays, where one child can holiday with two full-paying adults for no extra cost.
Known for golden sands, rich history and verdant forests, Bulgaria is fast becoming an alternative to traditional hotspots, as travellers move away from overcrowded resorts in Spain and France.
It was even named in the prestigious New York Times 52 places to go in 2025 (ranked at 50). The publication dubbed it’s capital city, Sofia, a ‘cultural crossroads’ and praised its ‘many underrated wines.’
You also get more bang for your buck in Bulgaria.
Paul Scott, founder of travel comparison site My Budget Break, previously told Metro that wallet-friendly prices in Bulgaria are key to its appeal.
‘When you compare it to the likes of the Canary Islands and even Turkey, you can often get more for your money for a package holiday, especially as the tourism infrastructure is already there,’ he said.
And visitors seem to love Bulgaria. One TripAdvisor reviewer called its seaside town, Sozopol, ‘paradise on Earth’, while another said it was ‘an absolute gem… offering a perfect blend of history, culture, and seaside charm.’
Meanwhile, visitors have praised the capital, Sofia, for its ‘breathtaking’ cathedral, and ‘lovely vibe’.
Balkan Holidays ceased trading on April 25, after nearly 60 years of providing package holidays.
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.
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.’
Thinking of a trip to Bulgaria? Check out these tips
Metro‘s senior foreign reporter Gergana Krasteva grew up in Bulgaria. For the first 18 years of her life, she spent summer exploring the country’s Black Coast, and now she’s given us its secrets.
‘One ancient legend about the Black Sea says it holds the entrance to the kingdom of the dead. Nowadays, if you follow the sound of music rolling over its shores, you will find something far livelier,’ Gergana says.
‘Sunny Beach holds the crown for the most popular resort, visited by millions of tourists from the UK, Russia, and Scandinavia every year.
‘But beyond the glitz, people wanting to experience the true spirit of the Black Sea should visit Cape Kaliakra, a secluded cove framed by cliffs. For 18 years, I spent three months every summer holidaying at Kaliakra and the nearby Rusalka beach, and trust me, the water alone is worth it.
‘The beaches of Durankulak and Krapets are secrets that Bulgarians have been holding onto for decades, sending all tourists to Sunny Beach instead.’
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