The 36th Hong Kong Book Fair, organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), concluded successfully on July 21, 2026, attracting nearly one million visits over seven days. Running alongside the 9th Sports and Leisure Expo and 6th World of Snacks, the combined events hosted more than 770 exhibitors from 30 countries and regions, drawing 990,000 visits. The Book Fair, themed "Reading the World: Cultural Legacy | Joyful Journeys," featured over 600 cultural events both at the fairground and across the city, solidifying its status as a beloved cultural event.
Despite heavy rain in the first few days, visitor enthusiasm remained high. Jenny Koo, HKTDC Deputy Executive Director, noted that many cultural seminars drew enthusiastic responses, with renowned author Liu Zhenyun's seminar reaching full capacity twice and attracting over 1,400 attendees. The inaugural ASEAN Literary Festival was well received, enabling authors from ASEAN countries to engage directly with readers, highlighting Hong Kong’s role as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. Prof Frederick Ma, HKTDC Chairman, participated in a "Wan Chai Community Art Creation Workshop" with artist Jane Lee and over 100 students, creating a piece that will be displayed at a tram stop from October 2 to 29.
A survey commissioned by the organizer interviewed over 860 respondents and found that average spending at the Book Fair was HK$923. The primary purpose for attending was purchasing newly released books (45%), followed by enjoying discounted prices (43%) and experiencing the cultural atmosphere (23%). Notably, 98.2% of respondents achieved their intended objectives. Fiction was the most popular genre (46%), followed by literature (22%) and comics (21%).
Booksellers reported strong sales. 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 spent over HK$30,000 after researching discounts online. Cosmos Books Director Alva Au said the fair is the largest annual event for connecting readers, authors, and publishers, with around 40 new titles debuting. Bangzo Books HK owner Abdul reported selling nearly 90% of inventory by the fifth day and plans to expand next year. First-time UAE exhibitor Emirates Publishers Association concluded agreements with around 15 publishers and sold rights to 25 titles, with plans to return next year.
The Book Fair also served as a platform for industry dialogue. The International Publishing Forum, themed "Reading for All in the Age of AI: Reshaping and Co-evolution," and the IP Roundtable, themed "Copyright in Transition: Reshaping Rights, Challenges & Opportunities in the Age of AI," brought together over 250 industry professionals to discuss AI's impact on publishing and copyright. The HKTDC's "Cultural July • Joyful Summer Reading" continues through July with activities across Hong Kong.
The Sports and Leisure Expo featured a "Multi-sport Playground" with over 3,600 visitors taking on challenges, while the World of Snacks offered international delicacies. The HKTDC will continue organizing key events in the second half of the year, including the Food Expo, Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair, and CENTRESTAGE, reinforcing Hong Kong's role as an international business hub. For more information, visit the HKTDC media room at http://mediaroom.hktdc.com.
