Our journey,
the Meon Travel story
Meon Travel was founded as Grace Bros with the aim of creating a travel company where service and deep destination knowledge were paramount, building a loyal customer base and earning industry recognition for excellence.
1964
The business was acquired by Stefan Olszowski, a respected industry figure whose leadership over the next two decades shaped both Meon Travel and Meon Villas into one of the UK’s most admired specialist travel operators. Under Stefan’s guidance, the business expanded its portfolio with successful brands and divisions, including Longshot Golf Holidays and the long-haul specialist Silk Cut Travel, which joined Meon Villas as part of the broader Meon Travel Group.
Stefan’s commitment to operational excellence was widely recognised in the travel trade; during his tenure, he not only grew the company’s national presence but was also noted for his integrity and fairness in all dealings. His two sons, Mark and Greg, both worked within the business and later became executives with First Choice Holidays, reflecting the family’s broader industry involvement and values.
1976
The core Meon Travel business was sold to First Choice Holidays, now TUI, bringing Stefan’s chapter at the helm to a close while transitioning the company into one of the UK’s largest holiday groups.
1999
Experienced travel and insurance executive James Beagrie acquired the Meon Travel agency business from First Choice plc, returning it to family ownership and relaunching it as Meon Valley Travel. James brought broad industry enterprise and leadership, building the independent agency into a respected UK travel management powerhouse known for bespoke service and strategic international client partnerships.
Under James’ ownership, the company continued to thrive as a specialist provider of corporate, leisure, group, and assistance travel, continually earning numerous industry awards in recognition for service excellence and growth.
The business refined its branding and returned to the Meon Travel name, while structuring its offerings under subsidiary brands matching each of the core disciplines of Corporate, Repatriations and Leisure travel to reflect its global reach beyond its local Hampshire roots.