Is there any tourism industry in the Middle East? Is it unsafe everywhere there?

Question

I hope that doesn't come off in a bad way. I just wonder what it's like there. I dream of traveling everywhere.

Answer 1

Em to the first answer, the Middle East is nothing like you described it! Arabs are the most hospitable people that I have ever met. The United Arab Emirates is like one of the biggest tourist destinations in the world, in particular Dubai- it's the disneyland of the Middle East!! It is one of the safest countries in the world. Like Bahrain and Qatar, very pro-Western countries, I feel I can trust the Emirati people, they are very family orientated.

Answer 2

The Middle East isn't all like Iraq or Afghanistan - some parts of it are very safe.

Turkey, Israel, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (especially Dubai), Tunisia, and Morocco all have significant tourist industries.

Many parts of the Middle East have ancient ruins, beautiful mosques, churches, and synagogues, many other historic and religious sights, traditional markets, excellent beaches, and great food.  Importantly, visiting the Middle East allows you to see firsthand the realities, positive (mostly) and negative (a few) of a part of the world that most Americans know very little about and often have a lot of misconceptions of.

Answer 3

Most of the western tourists who go there

end up being murdered by terrorists

they hate white people and will kill you if you go

It's in the news all the time

I would avoid the middle east

the state dept advises against it also

Answer 4

It is safe in most of the ME countries. It is quite safe in my country. I am Syrian, and people here like foreigners, Syrians are generally nice, welcoming and very helpful to visitors from other countries, and so are people in most of the ME countries. There are exceptions of course, but not to the extent that would make anyone fear of their lives.

My former boss (he is French) used to say Syria is the safest country in the world. He had toured the world and worked in about 15 countries, east and west, and he always praised the security he felt in Syria. Don't let these unfounded fears come between you and some of the most fabulous  places in the world. If you like history, like me, you have to go to Egypt, it's fascinating. Turkey is very beautiful too. I've been to both and I loved them. I went to Dubai too, but it's very westernized, you could hardly feel you are in the middle east, and of course there is Syria, if you ever plan to come here you will b most welcome.. e-mail me