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Middle East outshines Africa in top ranking
Despite the dispute, Doha is 64th in the ranking, although the future is more uncertain now. Dubai is by far the largest destination in the MEA region, but Saudi Arabia has three cities in the top ranking. The hajj is a major draw for arrivals to the country, but the kingdom is looking to ensure it is not just Mecca that bene ts.
The Post-Umrah Programme, an initiative that allows pilgrims to convert their Umrah visas into tourist visas, was launched to allow pilgrims to extend their stays in the country. Better dispersion should also come with the  rst high-speed train between Mecca and Medina, set to launch in 2018.
Johannesburg is the only Sub-Saharan Africa city in the top 100, with tourism considered a pillar of its economic growth strategy. The city’s Smart
Access Programme aims to give free Wi-Fi to all in the city by 2020. 300MB of free Wi-Fi per day is already available at bus stations and theatres.
10 Largest Cities in MEA for Inbound Arrivals (2016, with Global Rank)
Source: Euromonitor International
MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA
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