The 36th Hong Kong Book Fair, organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), concluded successfully on July 21, 2026, attracting nearly 1 million 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 enabled book lovers to explore global histories, cultures, and human stories, while the concurrent fairs created synergies offering a diverse experience.
Jenny Koo, HKTDC Deputy Executive Director, noted that despite heavy rain in the first few days, visitor enthusiasm remained high, especially over the weekend. She highlighted that many cultural seminars drew enthusiastic responses, including a full-house session by Liu Zhenyun and the inaugural ASEAN Literary Festival, which facilitated direct engagement between ASEAN authors and readers, underscoring Hong Kong’s role as an East-meets-West cultural exchange hub.
A survey of over 860 respondents revealed that average spending at the Book Fair was HK$923, with 85% using electronic payments. The primary purpose for attending 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%).
Visitor Ms. Lam, attending for the second year, spent around HK$20,000, more than double last year, mainly on children’s books. Mr. Chan, a regular visitor, spent over HK$30,000 on a children’s learning set and other books after researching online discounts. Exhibitors reported strong sales; Cosmos Books launched around 40 new titles, while Bangzo Books HK sold almost 90% of its inventory by the fifth day. First-time exhibitor Emirates Publishers Association secured rights sales for 25 titles and plans to expand next year.
The fair also featured the International Publishing Forum and IP Roundtable, focusing on AI’s impact on publishing and copyright. The forum, themed “Reading for All in the Age of AI,” explored how AI can enhance reading efficiency and foster cross-sector cooperation. The IP Roundtable discussed changes in IP regulations and licensing strategies across jurisdictions.
The “Cultural July • Joyful Summer Reading” initiative continues through July with activities across Hong Kong. The Sports and Leisure Expo attracted over 3,600 visitors to its “Multi-sport Playground,” while the World of Snacks offered international delicacies. The HKTDC will organize more events in the second half of 2026, including the Food Expo, Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair, and Belt and Road Summit, reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as an international business hub.
