World Cup-Frankfurt fighting image problem (Reuters) Updated: 2006-05-29 09:49
FRANKFURT, May 29 - Frankfurt will try to shake off its image as a grey
financial capital by proving it has a knack for the spectacular at the World
Cup.
The small city on the river Main breathes power and money -- the European
Central Bank and all major German banks have their headquarters here -- but is
not at first glance one of Germany's more lively or attractive places.
Frankfurters like to refer to the place as "Mainhattan" for a collection of
skyscrapers that are among the tallest in Europe but the comparison to New York
City otherwise seems faintly absurd.
Most of the 50 million people landing each year at Frankfurt airport, the
biggest in continental Europe, skip the city altogether, taking connecting
flights or the high-speed trains that provide outstanding links with much of the
rest of Europe.
There is an interesting collection of museums and a handsomely rebuilt main
square, where Germany teams are traditionally welcomed home after successful
tournaments.
There is little else, though, to attract the casual visitor to Frankfurt,
especially when the influx of business travellers for the many trade fairs
pushes hotel prices to scandalous highs.
Hotel rooms will be at a premium during the World Cup as well but that will
not stop football fans packing the city for an attractive series of games.
HANDY LOCATION
England play Paraguay here in their first match at the rebuilt Waldstadion on
June 10 and the handy location will lead many fans to use the city as a base for
the tournament.
That represents a good opportunity and the city wants to make use of it by
staging two spectacular events.
Now that the planned opening gala in Berlin has been cancelled, Frankfurt
believes its Sky Arena project will be remembered as the real opening ceremony.
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