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 concurrently with 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 over 600 cultural events, reinforcing its position as a beloved cultural event and a key platform for the publishing industry.
Despite heavy rain in the early days, visitor enthusiasm remained high, with Saturday and Sunday seeing particularly strong turnout. Jenny Koo, HKTDC Deputy Executive Director, noted that the fair continues to captivate the public, citing the full-house seminar by renowned author Liu Zhenyun and the successful inaugural ASEAN Literary Festival, which highlighted Hong Kong's role as an East-meets-West cultural exchange center. The fair also coincided with HKTDC's 60th anniversary, featuring a community art workshop led by HKTDC Chairman Prof Frederick Ma and artist Jane Lee.
A visitor survey conducted by a research institute, interviewing over 860 respondents, revealed an average spending of HK$923 per person. Over 90% of exhibitors accepted electronic payments, and 85% of visitors used such methods, an increase from last year. The primary purpose for attending was purchasing newly released books (45%), followed by enjoying discounts (43%) and experiencing the cultural atmosphere (23%). Fiction topped reading preferences at 46%, followed by literature (22%), comics (21%), and children's titles (18%). Notably, 98.2% of respondents said their visit achieved their objectives, underscoring the fair's appeal.
Book lovers showed significant spending, with one visitor, Ms Lam, spending around HK$20,000, more than double last year. Another regular visitor, Mr Chan, spent over HK$30,000 on children's learning sets and various books. Exhibitors reported strong sales; Cosmos Books Director Alva Au noted that around 40 new titles debuted exclusively at the fair, with Hong Kong-themed publications and history titles proving popular. Bangzo Books HK owner Abdul sold nearly 90% of inventory by the fifth day and plans to expand next year. Classroom Publications observed cautious consumer sentiment but boosted giveaways to drive sales. Cross-regional collaboration also flourished, with the Emirates Publishers Association securing rights for 25 titles and planning to translate traditional Chinese books into Arabic.
The fair's Eight Seminar Series and the ASEAN Literary Festival fostered cultural exchange. Malaysian author Daryl Yeap's session drew significant interest, while Liu Zhenyun's seminar reached full capacity twice, attracting over 1,400 attendees. Visitors from mainland China, such as Ms He from Zhuhai, traveled specifically for the event, praising its scale and selection. The "Cultural and Creative Spaces" also returned, with first-time exhibitor Create Hangzhou promoting miniature movable-type printing, and Tsi Ku Chai reporting steady growth in sales of cultural products and blind-box items.
Industry leaders gathered for the International Publishing Forum and IP Roundtable, sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency. 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 licensing strategies across jurisdictions, attracting over 250 professionals. These discussions reinforced Hong Kong's role as a regional intellectual property trading centre.
The HKTDC's "Cultural July • Joyful Summer Reading" continues through July, extending the cultural momentum. The Sports and Leisure Expo featured a multi-sport playground with over 3,600 participants, while the World of Snacks showcased international delicacies. The HKTDC will organize further events in the second half of the year, including the Food Expo and Hong Kong Electronics Fair, to foster international trade cooperation.
