THE huge crowds expected at tourist attractions across the city failed to materialize yesterday as interest in the fourth annual China Tourism Day fell far short of last year’s level.

Such was the anticipation at the Oriental Pearl TV Tower that it opened its doors 30 minutes earlier than usual, at 7:30am. It needn’t have bothered.

An unnamed security guard at the tower said that last year people had to queue for hours to get in. This year they just walked straight through the door, he said.