Serbian tourists are increasingly reporting being defrauded by the travel agency ‘Barcino Travel,’ which has failed to secure accommodations in Greece, leaving many travelers stranded. The agency is accused of not paying for hotel reservations, despite having received payments from clients. This has resulted in tourists arriving at their destinations only to find that their accommodations have not been paid for, forcing them to either pay again or find alternative lodging.
One notable case involves a family from Čačak, who, despite having paid for a luxury hotel in the Simantro Resort on the Halkidiki peninsula, found themselves on the street with their five-month-old baby. The family contacted the Greek agency partnered with ‘Barcino,’ which was supposed to forward the payment to the hotel. However, they were informed that ‘Barcino’ had not transferred the funds, although the agency promised to do so by the end of the week. The family had to pay a deposit of 400 euros per family to secure temporary accommodations while waiting for the payment to be made.
Another group of travelers, led by Beograđanka Gordana Pavlović, experienced a similar ordeal in Leptokarya. Upon arrival, they were denied entry to their reserved villa because ‘Barcino’ had not settled the payment. The group, consisting of about twenty people, had to pay for their accommodations again to avoid being left without shelter. Pavlović expressed her frustration, stating that the stress of the situation ruined their vacation. She also mentioned plans to sue ‘Barcino’ if the promised payment is not made, as the apartment owner refused to issue a receipt for their additional payment.
Attempts to contact ‘Barcino Travel’ have been unsuccessful. Journalists from “Blic” tried reaching the agency through phone calls and visits to their offices in Belgrade and Niš, but found either closed doors or employees unwilling to comment. The issue is not isolated, as social media platforms have been buzzing with similar complaints from other travelers who have faced accommodation issues in Greece through ‘Barcino.’
The situation is further complicated by the fact that ‘Barcino Tours’ declared bankruptcy in May 2025, leaving many travelers without refunds or vacations. The owner subsequently established a new company, ‘Barcino Travel,’ maintaining the same branding and website, which has led to confusion and continued trust in the agency despite its financial troubles.
The growing number of complaints highlights significant concerns about consumer protection and accountability in the Serbian tourism industry. Affected tourists are left to navigate the financial and emotional fallout of these failed travel arrangements, with some considering legal action against the agency. The situation underscores the importance of regulatory oversight and the need for travelers to exercise caution when booking through travel agencies.
