Advertisement
Hong Kong Book Fair draws to a close with total of 830,000 visitors; publishers report mixed sales
- Average spending falls by 6.6 per cent to HK$817 this year from HK$875 in 2019, based on survey of 800 shoppers
- Some publishers say overall sales have increased despite fewer visitors and books penned by opposition figures sold out
Reading Time:3 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
4
The Hong Kong Book Fair, one of the world’s largest, drew to a close on Tuesday after attracting 830,000 visitors in total, although publishers reported sales were mixed.
Advertisement
Social-distancing rules to control the spread of Covid-19 had limited capacity at the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai to just 85 per cent of the maximum.
Attendance at the week-long event was down 17 per cent compared to the last time it was held in 2019, when a million people turned out. The event was cancelled last year because of the severity of the coronavirus pandemic.
Families and individual buyers snapped up books, snacks, and sports and leisure products from the more than 760 exhibitors. But the organising Trade Development Council said each visitor spent an average of 6.6 per cent less this time around, forking over HK$817 (US$105) compared to the previous HK$875, based on a survey of 800 patrons.
Advertisement
Some publishers reported mixed success. Hillway Culture and Kind Of Culture said sales were up despite having been notified by the council of complaints claiming some of their books breached the national security law.
Advertisement