The 51st edition of the Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair opened with the usual fanfare and excitement Monday at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, as it welcomed more than 2,500 exhibitors from 34 countries and territories.
Under the banner New Play for All, organizers and exhibitors have embraced the broadening markets, which in addition to traditional toys include the now-established concept of “Kidults” and addressing what various experts have dubbed “the silver market,” toys, games and activities designed to engage, connect and sharpen skills for seniors.
According to Sophia Chong, acting executive director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, organizers of the show, the expansion and reach of the show continues to grow, largely due to increased attendance (post-pandemic) and the “hybrid model” of the show, which combines virtual and physical elements to facilitate local and global trade. Chong noted that the fair is increasingly seen as a strong gateway to the ASEAN countries, to which exports from Hong Kong grew from 8 percent of total experts to more than 18 percent in the period 2018 to 2022.
Growth within the Chinese mainland markets, Vietnam, and others continue to be bright spots for the future of toys and business opportunity.
There’s much more to come as the show continues over the next several days, but here’s a look at some of the opening day, where buyer traffic seemed to be up over last year’s 50th edition. (Full attendance figures and fuller reporting to come.)
