A photo on a guide cover is a spark, okay, but to say it standardizes the trip is to ignore the arms race to obtain permits.
Even with the best inspiration, navigating unforeseen obstacles is what makes you win the game, not the image.
For example, for The Wave, there's a lottery for permits; here in Spain, a simple cita previa can make you lose days and disrupt your entire schedule, regardless of your initial dream.
Inspiration puts you on the starting line, but it's managing unforeseen events that gets you across the finish line first, or leaves you behind.