Hong Kong Book Fair draws 1 million visitors, but sellers say many were browsers
Several booksellers say shifting consumer habits and unstable weather during seven-day event hurt business
The Hong Kong Book Fair and its linked expos drew nearly 1 million visitors this year as attendance increased by double digits, although some exhibitors said most people were browsers and the days of suitcases stuffed with purchases were over.
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council said on Tuesday that persistent rain had failed to disrupt the seven-day event, which featured more than 770 exhibitors from 30 countries and regions.
“Despite heavy rain during the opening days, the enthusiasm of the public and visitors for the book fair remained undampened,” council deputy executive director Jenny Koo Jing-man said.
According to the organiser, 990,000 people visited the book fair, the World of Snacks and the Hong Kong Sports and Leisure Expo at the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai, an 11 per cent increase over the 890,000 who attended in 2025.
Last year’s event was disrupted by Typhoon Wipha, forcing the organiser to extend opening hours.
Several booksellers the South China Morning Post spoke with said that poor weather over the past week, combined with shifting consumer habits, had taken a toll on sales.