The 36th Hong Kong Book Fair, organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), concluded successfully after a seven-day run, attracting 990,000 visits and bringing together more than 770 exhibitors from 30 countries and regions. The fair, held concurrently with the 9th Sports and Leisure Expo and 6th World of Snacks, created strong synergies and delivered a diverse experience for the public. Under the theme “Reading the World: Cultural Legacy | Joyful Journeys”, the event enabled book lovers to discover global histories, cultures, and human stories.
Jenny Koo, HKTDC Deputy Executive Director, noted that despite heavy rain in the first few days, visitor enthusiasm remained high, with especially lively crowds on Saturday and Sunday. She highlighted that many cultural seminars drew enthusiastic responses, including a full house for Liu Zhenyun's seminar and the successful inaugural ASEAN Literary Festival, which underscored Hong Kong’s role as an East-meets-West center for international cultural exchange. The fair also featured a celebratory activity marking HKTDC’s 60th anniversary, where Chairman Prof Frederick Ma participated in a community art creation workshop with over 100 students.
A survey of over 860 visitors revealed that average spending at the Book Fair this year was HK$923, with 98.2% of respondents indicating their visit achieved intended objectives. The primary purpose was purchasing newly released books (45%), followed by enjoying discounts (43%) and experiencing the cultural atmosphere (23%). Fiction was the most popular genre (46%), followed by literature (22%), comics (21%), and children's titles (18%). Notably, 85% of respondents used electronic payment methods, an increase over last year.
Exhibitors reported strong sales and visitor engagement. Cosmos Books Director Alva Au said the fair is the largest annual event for book lovers and publishers, with around 40 new titles making exclusive debuts. Bangzo Books HK owner Abdul noted that by the fifth day, nearly 90% of inventory was sold. First-time exhibitor Rashid Alkous of the Emirates Publishers Association from the UAE secured rights agreements for 25 titles and plans to return next year. The International Publishing Forum and IP Roundtable, focused on AI’s impact on publishing and copyright, drew over 250 industry professionals.
The fair’s cultural impact extended beyond sales. The “Cultural and Creative Spaces” featured first-time exhibitor Create Hangzhou, which promoted traditional Chinese culture through miniature movable-type printing. Visitor Ms Lam from Hong Kong spent about HK$20,000, while Mr Chan spent over HK$30,000. The event also fostered cross-regional collaboration, with mainland visitors traveling specifically to buy Hong Kong editions. The HKTDC’s “Cultural July • Joyful Summer Reading” continues through July, extending the city’s reading and cultural momentum.
