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.

YABU. I have been to Egypt more than a dozen times, it’s a lovely country. Stop believing everything you read.

I have been x5!

NotANotMan I think tourists traveling outside tourist routes sometimes become victims of terrorist. Just happened to two Swedish women in Morocco and also to tourist in Mongolia lately.

(or people in London, Paris etc)

The Scandinavian women where in a well known hiking area I believe. My DH went there 30 years ago and it's definitely firmly on the tourist trail for hikers at least.

We love Egypt, the Red Sea is one of the best places for diving. The last time we were there was 2015 and the security was extremely high, however airport security was terrible, both in Luxor and Sharm, very lax and the atrocities later that year put us off going back. Someone was also killed by a shark, the second time it's happened when we've been there but that didn't put us off but it took me four days to get back in the water after it. We would like to go back but not the way things are at the moment.

The amount of police dotted around with AK47s kinda did it for me. I don't know why people seem to be so offended by the OP. If you like these countries then great, someone's got to go. I also saw a dead horse in the Nile. That was nice

Perhaps it's because of the undercurrent of negative labelling of Middle East / Islamic countries?

The amount of police dotted around with AK47s kinda did it for me

I was actually glad to see them. We had a gunboat follow our dive boat one day as well as the special forces patrolling the waters around the hotel due to there being an Arab League Summit taking place.

Labels wouldn't put me off.

I go to very unfashionable places.

@sunflowers I think this is just the new normal in a world with so much terrorism. Did you ever see pictures of a Christmas market in Germany or France nowadays?

It is good security is there for the protection of the visitors.

I’ve been to Egypt twice. I’m so glad I went when I did. The sights and experiences were amazing. I told my DS that I would take him when he was older as I think he would love it as he is really interested in ancient history, but the current security situation scares me. I did get a huge amount of catcalling and men trying to touch me. I am very fair, blonde and curvy. I wore loose clothing that covered me from elbow to ankle and I was travelling with my partner, but I still got a lot of unwelcome attention, particularly around Luxor.

The people I know who holiday in these places tend to stick to resorts, coast and the nice bits so probably aren't affected by the bad bits. My friend goes to the same place in Turkey a few times a year and loves it.

Have to agree with Fay, the two Scandinavian women were following an established tourist route. The nearby town of Imlil is orientated towards hikers. We have great memories of hiking in the area. Very sad for those girls, their families and the locals.

NotANotMan I think tourists traveling outside tourist routes sometimes become victims of terrorist

Yes, absolutely tragic. But an isolated incident, doesn't follow usual terrorism patterns. Evidence indicates that the Moroccan murderers were homeless and drug users. Random acts of violence/murder can happen anywhere sadly

A young British backpaper has just been murdered in New Zealand - hardly a volatile state, riots in Paris, I live in a small city in the Midlands, our railway station is patrolled by heavily armed police. The USA is awash with guns.
The world is a dangerous place. Personally I believe if your number is up, its up. I don't take stupid risks, I am respectful to the local culture, I have taken my son to Gambia and Morrocco, staying away from the main tourist areas. If anything we were looked out for by the locals because we weren't staying in the western owned big tourist hotels, we were staying in locally owned lodges and spending our money in the community

When brexit happens these will end up being the holiday destinations of choice.
If you think I’m paying a visa to go to Europe you can think again.
I’ve been to most of the countries on your list and found them all more hospitable than most European countries.
You forgot to add Mexico to your list just as much chance of getting kidnapped there as anywhere else.

I holiday within Europe... It's a lovely continent. So much to see and do.
I don't need to spend 1000's and be jetlaged to have a great time. Neither do I need to be in a bedroom tower or meet up with fellow British travellers to fight over "that" Sun lounger by the chlorine pool.
(The type of holidays that I enjoy is not suitable for the counties mentioned - due to cultural difference! - or for small DC. So Europe & UK it is for the time being)

I have been wanting to visit Marocco for a long time but I have to admit the murder of the two scandinavian women put me off

Why were they targeted? I could google but don’t want to know about all the horrible details. So awful for their families.

Heli please don't let that put you off.

Value for money in their eyes. Remember the greatest danger of injury or death is probably the journey to and from the airport by road, whichever country you go to.

Yes - value for money for a beach holiday! I couldn't believe that for just a few hundred £ I got flights, transfers and all meals and drinks in Egypt at the best hotel I have ever stayed?

Because the thought of lying on a sun lounger next to a pool in Majorca sounds like my idea of hell

Then you’d be very silly if that’s all you did in Majorca, it’s a beautiful country with loads to do and see and Palma is wonderful k

Visited Istanbul last year. Amazing amazing amazing. Food was fabulous, the people happy to talk. Full of culture and history. Walking by the Bosphorous and then to the Blue Mosque....very amazing. I felt safe and secure at all times. We went during Ramadan too.

Nothing to do with cheap sun. Everything to do with culture. The only problem we saw, were some men and women being asked to either leave or cover their hair and legs in the Blue Mosque.

Visited Paris for the fifth time a while ago, when there I said to my DH I felt unsafe and wasn't comfortable. We said we wouldn't return again, the anger and tension was palpable.

Its not about the place, it's about you, your boundaries and your knowledge.

I've travelled extensively around Turkey alone as a youngish single female and never had a moment's worry - yes occasionally men might look but that happens in any country, I've never had any unwanted attention. It's a beautiful country with wonderful people and I feel one hell of a lot safer there than I do here, probably because the laws and punishments there are stricter than snowflake central here and people are deterred 😏😏