Claiming that an image on a guide cover standardizes travel forgets all the human constraints weighing on our decisions and travel plans.
Inspiration is one thing, but the reality of permits and the available budget can completely change the game.
I have a friend who dreamed of going to The Wave after seeing incredible photos, but he never managed to get a permit despite months of attempts, which forced him to change his plans.
We may want to, but we can't always, which is an externality often ignored in these stories.