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The “100% DORAEMON & FRIENDS” exhibition debuts today at Tsim Sha Tsui’s K11 art and cultural district, drawing an unprecedented crowd. This event, centered around the beloved 1969 manga character Doraemon, underscores Hong Kong’s burgeoning reputation as a cultural hub.
Located at the iconic Avenue of Stars, the exhibition attracted a substantial influx of visitors to the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade. Festivities commenced with a “blue” carpet event at the Avenue, leading to large-scale Doraemon sculptures both indoors and outdoors. According to a spokesperson from K11, foot traffic exceeded expectations, surpassing typical attendance numbers.
At the heart of the exhibition stood a towering 12-meter inflatable Doraemon, acclaimed as the world’s tallest of its kind. This impressive centerpiece highlights Hong Kong’s dedication to hosting significant cultural events.
The exhibition forms a crucial part of Hong Kong’s strategy to embrace the ‘Mega Events Economy.’ Since 2022, the city has actively pursued initiatives to establish itself as a premier venue for major cultural gatherings. Government officials emphasize the pivotal role of such events in boosting tourism and energizing the local economy. Events like Art Basel Hong Kong underscore Hong Kong’s expanding influence in the cultural and intellectual property landscape.
Officials contend that these mega events, leveraging popular culture strategically, not only attract tourists but also stimulate local economic activity across retail and hospitality sectors. Reports indicate that one attendee at the exhibition plans to make substantial local expenditures, highlighting the broader economic benefits associated with these cultural attractions.
Adrian Cheng, Founder of K11 and a strong advocate of cultural exchange, remarked on the event: “This exhibition exemplifies the substantial economic impact that cultural IP can bring to Hong Kong. It’s a vibrant demonstration of how the fusion of culture and commerce can energise our city’s economy.”
Janet, a visitor who travelled from the Philippines, said, “I knew I had to come to Hong Kong when I first heard about the exhibition. It’s always wonderful to see your favourite childhood character in ‘real life’. We rarely get events like this at home, so I’m ready to spend HK$15,000 on merchandises and other Doraemon experiences that comes with the show.”
As merchandise flies off the shelves at the promenade near K11 MUSEA’s exhibition, a nearby restaurant is attracting both locals and travelers with its specially crafted Doraemon-themed set menu. LUDBUDS F&B Group, operating multiple restaurants in the Tsim Sha Tsui area, also joins in with comparable offerings.
“The exhibition has clearly brought more tourists and families to Tsim Sha Tsui. It opens up the opportunity to attract customers with our Doraemon set menu,” said Berfa Chow, Chief Operating Officer of LUBUDS F&B Group Ltd. Chow estimates that the revenue will increase by 30-40% during the event period.
Hotel stays generated by the event are also seeing a boost. Casper Tsui, Executive Director of the Federation of Hong Kong Hotel Owners, said, “The Doraemon exhibition, which runs across July and August, coincides with other large-scale exhibitions such as the Book Fair and Animation-Comic-Game Hong Kong. Additionally, there will be an exhibition football match featuring a La Liga team in Hong Kong. This series of events is expected to attract overnight visitors from the region and boost hotel occupancy rates. Occupancy rate of hotels in prime locations is expected to reach 80-90%, with hotels with special themes likely more.
Hong Kong’s ongoing curation and hosting of innovative, large-scale cultural events further cement its status as a top global destination for cultural exchange. The DORAEMON exhibition represents not just a tourist attraction but also embodies the city’s strategic economic and cultural vision.
K11 Founder Adrian Cheng, said, “The ‘100% DORAEMON & FRIENDS’ exhibition is not only a mega event for the city and the region, but also a prime example of cultural IP exchange. It successfully brings the iconic Japanese cultural IP to Hong Kong and spotlights other anime-inspired figures and Hong Kong film stars celebrated on the Avenue of Stars. This exhibition reflects Hong Kong’s status as East-meets-West Centre for International Cultural Exchange, which will continue to boost our tourism, F&B, and retail industries, generating both popularity and economic prosperity.”
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