The 36th Hong Kong Book Fair, organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), concluded successfully on July 21, 2026, 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 a diverse cultural experience, with over 600 events both at the fairground and across the city.
Jenny Koo, HKTDC Deputy Executive Director, noted that despite heavy rain in the early days, visitor enthusiasm remained high. 'The atmosphere was especially lively on Saturday and Sunday, as people turned out in force to purchase their favourite items, demonstrating that the Book Fair continues to be a beloved cultural event that is captivating the public,' she said. The fair featured well-attended seminars, including a full-house session by renowned author Liu Zhenyun and the inaugural ASEAN Literary Festival, which facilitated direct engagement between ASEAN authors and readers.
A survey of over 860 respondents revealed that average spending at the Book Fair was HK$923. The primary purpose for attending was purchasing newly released books (45%), followed by enjoying discounts (43%) and experiencing the cultural atmosphere (23%). Notably, 98.2% of attendees achieved their objectives, underscoring the fair's appeal. Fiction was the most popular genre (46%), followed by literature (22%), comics (21%), and children's and young adult titles (18%).
Book lovers demonstrated significant spending. Visitor Ms Lam, attending for the second year, spent about HK$20,000, double her previous expenditure. Mr Chan, a regular visitor, spent over HK$30,000 on a children's learning set and other books. Exhibitors reported strong sales; Bangzo Books HK sold almost 90% of inventory by the fifth day. First-time exhibitor Emirates Publishers Association secured rights sales for 25 titles and translation partnerships, highlighting the fair's role in fostering international business collaboration.
The fair also served as a platform for industry dialogue. The International Publishing Forum and IP Roundtable, sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, focused on AI's impact on publishing and copyright. Experts from seven countries discussed reshaping reading in the AI era and copyright challenges, attracting over 250 professionals.
The concurrent Sports and Leisure Expo featured attractions like an 8-metre abseil and animal interactions, while the World of Snacks offered global delicacies. The HKTDC's 'Cultural July • Joyful Summer Reading' continues through July with cultural tours and educational programmes.
For more information, visit the HKTDC media room at mediaroom.hktdc.com.
