There are valid points on both sides regarding the importance of local events in trip planning, but the reality is more nuanced.
Certainly, local events can transform a destination and impact costs, which is a valid concern for many.
However, for a business traveler, or someone on a humanitarian mission as often seen in Senegal, these events can be secondary, or logistical constraints to manage.
The destination validation must incorporate this information, but their weight varies greatly depending on the traveler's objectives and the type of stay planned.