If I were defending the view that travel guides are a component of fictional inspiration, I would say that fiction plants the seed of the dream, and guides are the practical, concrete version, realizing the escape.
However, this statement omits recognizing that guides are often a primary and direct source of inspiration, especially for specific types of trips.
A guide to the best craft breweries in Wallonia, with tempting photos and detailed itineraries, can alone trigger a desire for a weekend without any book or film being involved.
The practical information and the tangibility of the experience offered by a guide can be a more powerful driver than pure imagination for some travelers.
The hierarchy between fiction and guide is not fixed but rather conditional on the traveler's intent and the type of trip sought.