Half-right, half exaggerated: the idea that local events are always an essential component of destination validation is an oversimplification.
Their importance is very conditional and entirely depends on the motivation of the trip and the priorities of the traveler.
For a pilgrimage to the Magal of Touba, the event is the heart of the trip; ignoring it would be absurd.
But for relaxing holidays in Saly, the impact of local events can be minimal or irrelevant, behind criteria like budget or availability of flights.
A middle ground must be found, and it must be recognized that this hierarchy is unstable, not universal.