Jungle city makes its mark on 2014

BRITISH tabloids warned it was a jungle outpost where dangers ranged from rampant crime to snakes, but the mayor of Manaus says the World Cup host city had proved critics wrong.

Switzerland's 3-0 win over Honduras on Wednesday was the final game for the Brazilian city's new and stylish Amazonia Arena, and mayor Arthur Virgilio Neto said each had been a great occasion and a source of pride.

"I feel my soul washed," he said minutes after the game, proudly citing regional tourist bureau figures showing 97% of foreign visitors rated reception and services as satisfactory. "We have passed the test and we were the surprise element for this World Cup," said Neto, insisting that the city would remain firmly on the tourist map with new flight links upcoming.

Portuguese airliner TAP is set to provide a direct flight between Manaus and Lisbon, while Spain's Iberia is due to link the Amazonian capital with Madrid. City officials hope the cup will also pave the way for routes to the US.

Neto said the World Cup had transformed the city, despite many Brazilians questioning the wisdom of building a stadium in a city with no football tradition. England coach Roy Hodgson said before the tournament started that he had wanted to avoid the humidity of the city where his side lost to Italy.

In addition, English tabloid media published dire warnings about what they dubbed a crime-ridden city in the jungle where dangers included poisonous snakes.

Neto said visitors had enjoyed their time in the region, noting that more than 70 American executive jets flew to Manaus on the eve of the USA-Portugal match.

"This makes us sure that the tourist market will remain," Neto said. – AFP