to wonder why people still holiday in volatile countries?

[Acorn20]

I am talking specifically about Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco, Turkey etc. And no, I'm not just talking about terrorism, as that can happen anywhere nowadays.

I'm talking about the stories of people getting arrested and thrown in jail for trivial things. The fact if you walk down the street you will be hassled, whether it's sexual harrasment or for money.

I'm not denying these places have nice things to see, but it's just not worth it. Yet thousands of people go every year for some cheap sun.

Anyways this thread is sadly quite ignorant

That's your judgement on this thread, and you have every right to make it!

I think the risk of a mishap or more seriously, getting drunk and drowning/falling off a balcony on a European holiday is probably greater for the average Brit than getting caught up in an incident in any of the 'volatile' countries mentioned.

I've not been abroad much unfortunately, (were dirt poor as kids and into adulthood saving hard for first house), but live vicariously through a couple of uni friends who travel everywhere and they love going to places not filled with tourists where they get a taste of authentic culture. So even places like Iran, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Nepal. It's actually fascinating to hear about their travels and generally positive experiences. I understand it's not for everyone and you have to have your wits about you.

A guy we work with was on the beach in Turkey when it was was shot up in 2015. He and his wife loved the country and had been every summer for fifteen years- same resort/hotel etc. They went back once after, to try and not let it beat them or spoil something they loved, but ultimately it was too much. I would be cautious visiting the countries listed by OP, although I know logically I'd be at as much "risk" going to London.

We went to Morocco 8 years ago and loved it. Amazing food, countryside, weather, architecture etc. Cheap, and people were so welcomIng. I dressed conservatively and didn't get any hassle. I can totally see the attraction, though might avoid North Africa right now. It's a real shame for all the local people who rely on tourism.

I wouldn’t go to Morocco nowadays

Morocco is not volatile. In the tourist hotspots of Marrakesh it's no worse for harassment than Leicester Square, the ramblas of Barcelona etc and outside those places it's no worse than anywhere I have been in Europe. The terrorism threat in Morocco is no higher than the U.K.

TheCraicDealer - re beach shooting - I thought that was Tunisia rather than Turkey.

I've been sexually harassed in London and was on the tube to Kings Cross station on the morning of 7 July 2005.

Sexual harassment and terrorism can happen anywhere.

I've been to all those countries and I felt perfectly safe, often safer than in the UK.

Well said craft1905. Anyone had the right to judge anyone else.

And to say all countries are as dangerous as each other is just pure liberal disingenuous bollocks.

I love turkey and have never felt hassled. The first time I went to Egypt I hated it as going out of the hotel we were hassled and I like to explore on holiday so it kind of ruined it. I went to Egypt a month ago just for rest and relaxation for a week and didn’t go out of the hotel and really enjoyed it. I wouldn’t go to Egypt for my main holiday but as a winter relaxing break it is fine. The security was really tight too so I felt safe.

Never been to Tunisia or Morocco. Never fancied them, but not because they are ‘volatile’.

But if anyone has the right to judge anyone else she also has the right to judge craft, doesn’t she?

BTW I totally would not travel offside tourists routes as a woman traveling without dh... but then to be honest I also wouldn’t go to the worst neighbourhood of a nearby city without dh.

Been to all of them. Love 'em.

"I'm not denying these places have nice things to see, but it's just not worth it"

Not worth it to you.

Was worth it to me, and I lived in some of these countries because it was that worth it to me. And that's why people go. Because it's worth it to them.

You're not 'wondering why', as per your thread title, you just don't feel the same. So... what now?

Security in Egypt at airports, hotels and shopping malls very tight

if you walk down the street you will be hassled

That happened to me today. Here. In the UK. First one of those charity people that accost u and just wont piss off, then a guy trying to
get signups for a credit card. They dont understand 'no,thank you', they dont understand me walking away indicates i do not wish to engage, they do not understand that walking backwards but in the direction im walking so they face me while they try to guilt trip me is ridiculous.

However if it was a hot day and i had a margarita in my hand...i wouldnt mind so much

The beach massacre was in Tunisia, not Turkey.

Personally I'd hate my life to be limited by the anxiety so many people have around travelling to certain countries.

I think that a lot of people don’t understand risk, yes people are arrested/killed/assaulted in various countries.

But actually you are more likely to be involved in a serious street accident within 5 miles of your home.

Obviously you take precautions, if you visit primarily Muslim countries you cover up in public. You respect local customs wherever you go. Don’t display jewellery in poor areas. Don’t go into dodgy areas. Just be aware.

I’ve had great experiences in loads of “dodgy” places, I’m careful , not paranoid.

I think the airport massacre was in Turkey.

Visited Egypt with my dc last year. The official advice was that it was safe to travel, and it was. We didn't get harassed at all. I think you are making bit assumptions.

We went to Morocco last year, no problems had a great time.

We live in London and DD was working in Westminster when the terrorist incident happened, and couldn't leave her workplace. Her mobile battery had died and I still remember how ill and shaken I felt until I heard from her hours later.

I was in USA a few years back, a woman in next apartment block had her purse snatched, she held onto it and assailant killed her on the spot.

I also hated the thought that many people around me would be carrying guns.

We need to be cautious anywhere we go. I'm not caught up in the 'news hype' that it's particular countries that are the scariest as opposed to the West.

Ramble - yes, I find people"s skewed perception of risk fascinating.

Was lucky enough to have holidays in Egypt and Morocco last year.

This year will probably go back to Iran.

So give us some statistics on carbon monoxide poisoning then OP. UK, Spain, Turkey, Egypt. Maybe as a proportion of tourist numbers?

Because the thought of lying on a sun lounger next to a pool in Majorca sounds like my idea of hell! And because after all my travels, I have learned that whatever is said in the media and online is never a true reflection of a country/its security as long as you are sensible. Travelled through Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, which are supposed to have the highest murder rates in the world, and they were breath-taking and I had an amazing time. Ditto for the Philippines and South Africa, which again get an unfairly bad rap but are spectacular travel destinations.

@Ted27 I never said that visiting the countries was a bad thing I have travelled across Africa and South America in some countries that most would say were ‘dangerous’ places, although it may have been slightly different as I was visiting my ancestral homes (albeit for the first time and with no actual close family there). I’m speaking from my personal experience of some people I know. Some risks that you may consider and plan/accommodate for others won’t.

Oddly, a beach resort in Mallorca is far more
Likely to be a terrorism target than a small seaside town in Morocco for example. London is far far more likely.