The 36th Hong Kong Book Fair, organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), concluded successfully on July 21, attracting 990,000 visits over seven days. The event, held alongside the 9th Sports and Leisure Expo and 6th World of Snacks, brought together more than 770 exhibitors from 30 countries and regions. Under the theme “Reading the World: Cultural Legacy | Joyful Journeys,” the fair offered book lovers a chance to explore global cultures, while the concurrent fairs created synergies, allowing visitors with a single ticket to enjoy reading, sports, and snacks.
Jenny Koo, HKTDC Deputy Executive Director, noted that despite heavy rain early on, visitor enthusiasm remained high, with Saturday and Sunday seeing strong turnout. “The Book Fair continues to be a beloved cultural event that is captivating the public,” she said. Highlights included a full-house seminar by renowned author Liu Zhenyun and the inaugural ASEAN Literary Festival, which facilitated direct engagement between ASEAN authors and readers, reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as an East-meets-west cultural exchange hub.
A survey of over 860 visitors revealed average spending at HK$923, with 85% using electronic payments. The primary purpose for attending was purchasing new books (45%), followed by enjoying discounts (43%). Fiction was the most popular genre (46%), followed by literature (22%) and comics (21%). Notably, 98.2% of respondents said they achieved their objectives, underscoring the fair’s appeal as a sales platform.
Individual visitors demonstrated significant spending. Ms. Lam, attending for the second year, spent about HK$20,000, mainly on children’s books and educational toys. Mr. Chan, a regular, spent over HK$30,000 after researching discounts online. Exhibitors also reported strong sales. Alva Au, Director of Cosmos Books, noted that around 40 new titles debuted, and the fair helped her stay attuned to market trends. Abdul, owner of Bangzo Books HK, sold nearly 90% of inventory by the fifth day, while Classroom Publications observed cautious consumer sentiment but boosted giveaways to drive sales.
The fair facilitated cross-regional business collaboration. Rashid Alkous of the Emirates Publishers Association, a first-time exhibitor from the UAE, said they secured rights sales for 25 titles and planned to translate traditional Chinese books into Arabic. “We plan to return next year and expand our presence,” he said.
The International Publishing Forum and IP Roundtable focused on AI’s impact on publishing. The forum, themed “Reading for All in the Age of AI: Reshaping and Co-evolution,” explored how AI can enhance reading efficiency and foster collaboration. The IP Roundtable, under “Copyright in Transition,” discussed changes in IP regulations and opportunities in cross-border collaboration. Both events drew over 250 industry professionals, reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as a regional IP trading centre.
The “Cultural July • Joyful Summer Reading” activities continue through July, with cultural tours and public education programmes across the city. The Sports and Leisure Expo and World of Snacks also proved popular, with the “Multi-sport Playground” attracting over 3,600 visitors and first-time exhibitor My Mini Zoo allowing children to interact with animals.
The HKTDC will host further events in the second half of the year, including the Food Expo, Beauty & Wellness Expo, and Hong Kong International Tea Fair in August, and the Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair in September. These events aim to foster international trade cooperation and reinforce Hong Kong’s position as a global business hub.
