British tabloids warned it was a jungle outpost where dangers ranged from rampant crime to snakes, but Manaus's mayor said Wednesday the World Cup host city had proved critics wrong.

Switzerland's 3-0 win over Honduras was the fourth and 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 percent 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 will remain firmly on the tourist map with new flight links upcoming.

Portuguese carrier 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 charter routes to the United States.

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 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" after the World Cup, said Neto, pointing out that about 300,000 people had attended the city's fan fest.

He insisted most visitors had been "enchanted" by the "beautiful city" and would want to return to a region committed to improving its infrastructure.