The 36th Hong Kong Book Fair, organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), concluded on July 21, drawing 990,000 visits across seven days. The event, held concurrently with the Sports and Leisure Expo and World of Snacks, brought together over 770 exhibitors from 30 countries and regions. Under the theme “Reading the World: Cultural Legacy | Joyful Journeys,” the fair offered a diverse cultural experience, with a single ticket granting access to reading, sports, and global snacks.
Jenny Koo, HKTDC Deputy Executive Director, noted that despite heavy rain early on, visitor enthusiasm remained high, with Saturday and Sunday seeing particularly strong turnout. She highlighted the success of cultural seminars, including a full-house session by Liu Zhenyun, and the inaugural ASEAN Literary Festival, which underscored Hong Kong’s role as an East-meets-west cultural exchange hub. The fair also coincided with HKTDC’s 60th anniversary, celebrated with a community art workshop led by artist Jane Lee and over 100 students.
A survey of over 860 visitors revealed average spending of HK$923, with 98.2% achieving their objectives. The primary purpose for attending was purchasing new books (45%), followed by discounted prices (43%) and experiencing the cultural atmosphere (23%). Fiction topped reading preferences (46%), ahead of literature (22%) and comics (21%). Electronic payment adoption rose, with 85% of respondents using digital methods.
Visitor spending varied widely. Ms. Lam, a second-time attendee, spent about HK$20,000, double last year’s amount, mainly on children’s books and educational toys. Mr. Chan, a regular visitor, spent over HK$30,000 on a children’s learning set and other books, having researched online for fair-exclusive discounts. Cosmos Books Director Alva Au reported strong sales, with 40 new titles making exclusive debuts, including works by renowned authors and Hong Kong-themed publications. Bangzo Books HK owner Abdul sold nearly 90% of inventory by the fifth day, with some titles selling out over the weekend.
The fair facilitated cross-regional business, with first-time exhibitor Emirates Publishers Association securing rights sales for 25 titles by the third day. Executive Director Rashid Alkous noted plans to translate traditional Chinese books into Arabic for the Middle Eastern market. The fair’s Eight Seminar Series and the ASEAN Literary Festival fostered direct engagement between authors and readers. Liu Zhenyun’s seminar drew over 1,400 attendees, including Ms. He from Zhuhai, who traveled specifically for the event.
Industry forums addressed AI’s impact on publishing. The International Publishing Forum, themed “Reading for All in the Age of AI: Reshaping and Co-evolution,” drew over 250 professionals. The IP Roundtable, “Copyright in Transition,” featured experts from seven countries discussing regulatory changes and licensing strategies. These sessions reinforced Hong Kong’s role as a regional intellectual property trading centre.
The “Cultural July • Joyful Summer Reading” initiative continues through July, with activities across the city. The Sports and Leisure Expo attracted over 3,600 visitors to its “Multi-sport Playground,” while the World of Snacks offered diverse culinary experiences. HKTDC’s upcoming events include the Food Expo and Hong Kong International Tea Fair in August, and the Business of IP Asia Forum in December, further cementing Hong Kong’s status as a business hub.
