Might not necessarily mean they are _physically_ stranded.
Booking holidays often means scheduling time off work, around children's school holidays, when prices are reasonable, etc. Not always a trivial task.
Having those plans abruptly cancelled in this manner where they need to not only get a refund for any money paid, but to also try and make alternative arrangements on their own and cover any difference in cost out of their own pocket is effectively leaving them stranded in a sense.
Booking holidays often means scheduling time off work, around children's school holidays, when prices are reasonable, etc. Not always a trivial task.
Having those plans abruptly cancelled in this manner where they need to not only get a refund for any money paid, but to also try and make alternative arrangements on their own and cover any difference in cost out of their own pocket is effectively leaving them stranded in a sense.