Book fair vendors brace for weaker sales
Book fair exhibitors said on Tuesday they expect business to suffer this year, saying sales are likely to be affected by factors like pandemic restrictions and a delayed summer break.  The annual event, which this year is themed on history and city literature, opens its doors at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on Wednesday and runs until next Tuesday.  It will take place alongside two other major fairs – the Hong Kong Sports and Leisure Expo and World of Snacks – with more than 700 exhibitors taking part.  A publisher surnamed Au from Cosmos Books said she expects a 10 percent drop in sales because of the pandemic restrictions in place.  “I expect this year the business is just okay. Because of the pandemic, the number of people must be decreased. We hope at least our business will remain unchanged. Not many people will be willing to come to this book fair, at least parents will not bring their children to come, they will be hesitant to come,” she said.  Another vendor, surnamed Chow, echoed her view. She said there will be fewer visitors this year, such as students and overseas visitors.  “We expect the sales will be lower than last year. And some students are still in school. Most of our titles are in English. We expect there’ll be fewer overseas visitors coming here, and also [fewer] mainland readers as well.”  But speaking to a media briefing ahead of the fair’s opening, HKTDC’s Deputy Executive Director Sophia Chong said she is upbeat about this year's visitors figures with the opening of the Exhibition Centre MTR station.