The 100 pc Doraemon and Friends exhibition organised at Tsim Sha Tsui’s K11 art and cultural district in Hong Kong has been attracting a record crowd. 

According to a press statement by the organisers K11, the centrepiece of the exhibition is the iconic 1969 manga character Doraemon, featured as a 12-metre inflatable Doraemon, touted as the world’s tallest.

The statement adds that the footfall has so far marked an impressive increase compared to the usual traffic, underscoring Hong Kong’s emerging status as a cultural hub.

The statement adds that the exhibition, being held at the Avenue of Stars, has drawn a significant influx of visitors to the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade. 

The event kicked off with a “blue” carpet at the Avenue, leading to large-scale Doraemon sculptures scattered both indoors and outdoors. 

The organisers say that the magnitude of the attraction highlights Hong Kong’s commitment to hosting grand cultural events. This event is a part of Hong Kong’s broader strategy to capitalise on the ‘Mega Events Economy’. 

Since 2022, the city has been actively strategising to establish itself as a hub for major cultural gatherings, says the statement. 

Adrian Cheng

It adds that such events are vital for boosting tourism and invigorating the local economy. 

According to the officials, these mega events are organised strategically, leveraging popular culture, aiming to draw not only tourists but also to stimulate local spending, benefiting sectors ranging from retail to hospitality. 

“This exhibition exemplifies the substantial economic impact that cultural intellectual property can bring to Hong Kong. It is a vibrant demonstration of how the fusion of culture and commerce can energise our city’s economy,” says Adrian Cheng, Founder of K11.

The event is also featuring restaurants with Doraemon-themed set menu. 

Berfa Chow

“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,” says Berfa Chow, Chief Operating Officer of Lubuds, a restaurant group. Chow estimates that the company’s revenue will increase by 30-40 pc during the event period.

The statement adds that hotel stays generated by the event are also seeing a boost. 

Casper Tsui

“The Doraemon exhibition, which runs through 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,” says Casper Tsui, Executive Director of the Federation of Hong Kong Hotel Owners.

“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 pc, with hotels with special themes likely more,” Tsui adds.

The organisers say that as Hong Kong continues to curate large-scale cultural events, it solidifies its reputation as a premier destination for global cultural exchange. In a step forward, the Doraemon exhibition is more than just an attraction and embodies the city’s strategic economic and cultural vision.

“The ‘100 pc Doraemon and 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,” says K11 Founder Adrian Cheng.

“This exhibition reflects Hong Kong’s status as East-meets-West Centre for International Cultural Exchange, which will continue to boost our tourism, food and beverages and retail industries, generating both popularity and economic prosperity,” Cheng adds.