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Elaine Yau

Tong Chi-fai, Bookseller ; Travel enthusiast Jim Tong Chi-fai turns his passion of travelling into a full-time job
Talking about his  travel experiences with much enthusiasm in front of heaps of travel books, 28-year-old Jim Tong Chi-fai, of the Freeman Bookshop, said he was happy that he could turn his interest into a full-time job.
Tucked away in a corner of the bustling Sai Yeung Choi Street in Mong Kok, his is the only bookshop in Hong Kong selling only travel-related books.
Opened last year, the shop has yet to break even in the cutthroat market of upstairs bookshops. Faced with the  challenge of  attracting customers in a market dominated by chain bookstores, the shop has come up with a series of innovative ideas  to put itself on the radar of book fans.
Mr Tong shares  with Young Post his experiences in running  the bookstore.
Young Post: What kind of books do you sell  in your bookstore?
Tong: We have all kinds of travel guides, travelogues and photography books by both professional and amateur photographers.
Young Post: Are you a big fan of travel books?
Tong: Sure! I always love to read travelogues which blend travel anecdotes with literature.  These travelogues are gritty accounts of what people experience in exotic lands.  There are a lot of exotic places in the world that I would love to visit, but I am  constrained by finances and lack of time. I am thrilled while reading travelogues by the globetrotting writers.
Young Post: What special activities do you  organise  to attract new customers?
Tong: We have talks hosted by travel writers.  Sharing sessions by photographers are also held. We work  with travel companies in organising photography tours to exotic places. We will have a tour to Tibet in June. We also hold talks in local schools and universities to arouse students' interest in travelling.
Young Post: Are you a seasoned traveller yourself?
Tong: I have travelled to Korea, the mainland China, Taiwan, Bali and other places.  While some people like to travel with tour groups,  I am always a big fan of individual travelling. It allows you to explore the local culture and meet the indigenous people. Even though you may run into inconvenience or difficulties,  I still enjoy the experience a lot.
Young Post: Many bookstores  have set aside corners for  travel books. Is it difficult to draw customers from those long-standing bookstores?
Tong: The travel books we sell  here might not be found in other bookstores. We source our products from a wide range of publishers. There are many hardcore fans of solo travelling in Hong Kong who are on the lookout for specialised books on exotic places. I think our bookshop can cater to this niche market.
For more information, go to www.freemanbookshop.com
Profile
1997: Completed Form Five studies
1998-2000: Worked as a company clerk
2000-2007: Worked as a teacher assistant at a local school
2007: Helped set up the Freeman Bookshop



Selling dreams of travel