The potential of tourism in the Middle East has not been fulfilled, according to many, due to political-security issues. Indeed, scholars regard safety/security as one of the crucial factors in tourist behaviour.
Despite tourism being considered the most sensitive economic industry, it can provide a solution for the disturbed Middle Eastern economy. Therefore, the question arises: How are destination images and consequent tourist behaviours towards the Middle East truly affected by safety/security? This paper suggests that mildly or moderately severe threats do not have to be decisive for (allocentric) tourists.