On a scale of 0 to 100, the statement that travel guides are only a sub-part of fictional inspiration scores only 20 points in practical usefulness. A guide dedicated to hiking in Quebec, for example, offers a ratio of concrete information per page of 8:1 compared to a novel, which focuses on escape. Thematic guides generate a direct travel intention with an effectiveness 3 times higher than fiction for specific niches, such as local gastronomy enthusiasts. Fiction provides a dream potential of 70%, but its realization score is a low 15% without practical additional information, while a guide starts at 60% for immediate planning. Guides are decision engines, not just narrative appendices, as evidenced by the steady sales of guides for destinations without big-budget movies.