The book, written by first-time author Adam Lucas, said there was a “fascinating story” to be told about Goodman’s career, particularly around the rise and fall of his ILG empire, which included brands such as Intasun, Club 18-30 and Air Europe. Goodman died in 2018 while on holiday in Tenerife.
Lucas told TTG that The Holiday King was more like a “film version” of Goodman’s life in travel, rather than a documentary, with key meetings and conversations being imagined as part of the creative process, and some names being changed “slightly”.
“Ultimately, it’s just such an exciting story that it doesn’t need a lot of creativity,” said Lucas. “It’s based on the facts known today with conversations and meetings being some of the creativity.”
Lucas explained how he had been on an Intasun holiday during the 1980s and became curious about Goodman’s story a few decades later. He then decided to write the book after seeing the “floodgates of memorials and comments” following Goodman’s death four years ago.
“People left so many comments about how wonderful and inspirational he was – he was a real entrepreneur with real flair,” he added. “He led such a flamboyant lifestyle but at the same time he was very dedicated to charities. I thought I should write a book about him.”
‘Whirlwind adventure’
Lucas spent nine months researching Goodman’s career, including talking to many of his former colleagues and employees, before putting pen to paper on the book in the early stages of the pandemic.
“Everybody was so positive about the influence he had on them – he was a real people person,” said Lucas. “It was a rags to riches story – from operating out of a small office to taking on the titans of the travel industry.
"He was a visionary and gave people the opportunity to go on holiday at a price they could afford. His competitors really ganged up on Harry.”
The book covers Goodman’s entire career in travel including how he pioneered the UK market to Florida by initially striking a deal with a hotel then owned by the mafia. It also details his later post-ILG activities, including Teletext Holidays, through the 2000s.
“He was a flamboyant character, and I’d like that to come across to the reader,” added Lucas. “It’s a whirlwind adventure – I wanted to showcase Harry as a person, what he was up against and how he kept on fighting. He’s really from an era that doesn’t exist any more, so the story has that once-upon-a-time quality.”
The Holiday King is currently available to pre-order ahead of its publication in October. The book is priced at £20 plus £5 postage and packaging. It will also be available at independent bookshops.
