Avid readers from Hong Kong and beyond engaged with renowned writers, commentators and cultural figures at this year’s Hong Kong Book Fair, which attracted strong visitor numbers and spending amid a diverse array of events, talks and exhibitions.
The fair’s fascinating Eight Seminar Series was widely attended and well-received. A session featuring celebrated Chinese author Liu Zhenyun, author of One Sentence Is Ten Thousand Sentences, was full to capacity, attracting an on-site audience of more than 1,400 people.
Ms He, a visitor from Zhuhai, a neighbouring city in the Chinese Mainland, felt fortunate to secure a place, having travelled to Hong Kong specially to meet the author. The fair’s scale was impressive, she said, reflecting Hong Kong’s appreciation for literature.
A new ASEAN Literary Festival also resonated strongly with visitors, as writers from Southeast Asia shared their perspectives with readers, highlighting Hong Kong’s role as a major centre for international cultural exchange.
“The Book Fair continues to be a beloved cultural event that is captivating the public,” noted Jenny Koo, Deputy Executive Director at the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the fair organiser.
Average spending this year was HK$923 (US$118), according to a survey of more than 860 visitors conducted by a research institute.
The primary purpose of attending was to buy newly released books (cited by 45% of respondents). This was followed by enjoying discounted prices (43%) and experiencing the cultural atmosphere of an international book fair (23%).
These findings highlight the Book Fair’s dual role, as an enticing destination for book lovers and a compelling sales and promotional platform for publishers.
Strong footfall
This year’s fair experienced strong visitor traffic, with spending intentions exceeding those of previous years, observed Tiffany Chan, head of Hong Kong publisher and exhibitor, Idea Publication. Physical cultural events like book fairs are the best way to attract young people into the world of books and promote reading, she added.
Book fairs also serve as an important marketing platform for publishers, pointed out Mr Cheng from Peace Book, another Hong Kong publisher and exhibitor. The book fair allows for a complete display of an entire product line, which is rarely possible in bookstores. This helped attract a large number of readers, Mr Cheng said.
Exhibitors also came from overseas, with the UAE Publishers Association participating for the first time this year. Visitor flow was ideal, noted Executive Director Rashid Alklous, with visitors showing a strong interest in Emirati culture and related publications. Next year's participation will be expanded, with a more diverse line-up, he added.
Ming Li, Trading Manager of Hanison Trading, stated that many customers specifically visited the book fair after reading online product reviews. Brand IP collaboration stationery in particular experienced impressive sales this year. Many products debuted at the fair, leveraging the event’s visitor flow to increase product exposure and boost retail sales.
The popular Cultural and Creative Spaces zone returned this year. Create Hangzhou took part for the first time. Mr Zhang, Create Hangzhou’s representative, recounted how visitors from the Chinese Mainland, Taiwan and the United States, as well as Hong Kong, had shown keen interest in miniature movable-type printing, helping promote traditional Chinese culture.
Industry exchange
The Book Fair also served as a key annual platform for industry exchange.
The International Publishing Forum and IP Roundtable, both sponsored by the Hong Kong SAR Government’s Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, focused on developments in publishing and copyright in an age of AI.
The International Publishing Forum was co-organised by the HKTDC and the Hong Kong Publishing Federation, while the IP Roundtable was organised by the HKTDC and co-organised by the Hong Kong Reprographic Rights Licensing Society.
This year’s Book Fair ran concurrently with two other events organised by the HKTDC: the Hong Kong Sports and Leisure Expo and World of Snacks.
The three fairs registered 990,000 visits between them, bringing together more than 770 exhibitors from 30 countries and regions.