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 its seven-day run. The fair, held concurrently with the Sports and Leisure Expo and World of Snacks, brought together more than 770 exhibitors from 30 countries and regions, offering a diverse experience for attendees. Under the theme “Reading the World: Cultural Legacy | Joyful Journeys,” the event enabled book lovers to explore global histories, cultures, and human stories, with a single ticket providing access to reading, sports, leisure, and international snacks.
Despite heavy rain in the first few days, visitor enthusiasm remained high, with Saturday and Sunday seeing a surge in attendance. Jenny Koo, HKTDC Deputy Executive Director, noted that the Book Fair continues to be a beloved cultural event, with seminars like Liu Zhenyun's drawing full houses and the inaugural ASEAN Literary Festival receiving positive responses. The fair also highlighted Hong Kong’s role as an East-meets-West cultural exchange hub. Coinciding with HKTDC's 60th anniversary, a celebratory community art creation workshop was held, featuring Hong Kong artist Jane Lee and over 100 students, resulting in a mural to be displayed at a Wan Chai tram stop.
A survey commissioned by the organizer, interviewing over 860 respondents, revealed that average spending at the Book Fair was HK$923. More than 90% of exhibitors accepted electronic payments, and 85% of visitors used such methods, an increase from last year. 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 respondents achieved their intended objectives, underscoring the fair's appeal. Fiction was the most popular genre (46%), followed by literature (22%), comics (21%), and children's books (18%).
Book lovers made significant purchases, with some spending tens of thousands of Hong Kong dollars. Visitor Ms. Lam, attending for the second year, spent around HK$20,000, mainly on children's books and educational toys. Mr. Chan, a regular visitor, spent over HK$30,000 after researching online discounts. Exhibitors reported strong sales; Cosmos Books launched around 40 new titles, while Bangzo Books HK sold nearly 90% of inventory by the fifth day. Classroom Publications observed that secondary students favored mock exam papers, while primary students preferred reading comprehension exercises. First-time exhibitor Emirates Publishers Association from the UAE secured rights to 25 titles, planning to translate traditional Chinese books into Arabic.
The Book Fair also served as a platform for industry dialogue on artificial intelligence. The International Publishing Forum, themed “Reading for All in the Age of AI,” and the IP Roundtable, themed “Copyright in Transition,” drew over 250 industry professionals. Experts from seven countries discussed AI's impact on publishing, copyright, and reading culture. The Cultural July activities continue through the end of July, extending the city's summer reading momentum.
The concurrent Sports and Leisure Expo and World of Snacks also proved popular, with the “Multi-sport Playground” attracting over 3,600 visitors and My Mini Zoo offering animal interactions. The World of Snacks featured six themed zones showcasing international delicacies. The HKTDC will continue organizing 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 role as a global business hub. For more information, visit www.hktdc.com/aboutus.
