The ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the Arabian Peninsula has drawn attention to the plight of civilian tourists who take peaceful vacations only to find themselves in perilous situations. These tourists, having paid significant amounts for their trips, often expect travel agencies to guarantee their safety and manage emergencies. However, the reality is starkly different, as many find themselves in life-threatening scenarios, with the situation exacerbated when bombs begin to fall in the vicinity. Governments have a crucial role to play in organizing evacuations and repatriation flights for these tourists when such crises occur. Yet, a vocal minority argues that tourists should be responsible for their own well-being and costs in these situations. This perspective seems unrealistic, considering that many tourists are not proficient in languages other than their own, heavily rely on tour operators, and can easily get lost in foreign environments like bus stations or airports. A troubling aspect raised by a journalist colleague in Egypt is the financial fragility of many tourists. The phenomenon of going on holiday on a 'bare-bones' budget means that some individuals carry little to no extra money. This highlights a critical issue within mass tourism practices, where individuals may rely too heavily on the illusion of safety provided by their bookings, leading to dire consequences in unstable regions.