Anthony, I think what you're missing is that the type of travel makes a difference in the impact on the traveler. Deeply immersive travel-- where you live with people very different than yourself-- can be powerful, life-changing, and can, indeed, make you a better person. I spent two years in an African village, and I'm a million times "better" because of it.

I agree that swimming in the Dead Sea or viewing the Northern Lights just to tell the stories are lame reasons to travel. Travelers need to get way out of their comfort zones, take risks, and get to know others (not just meet them) to have life-changing experiences abroad.

I wrote about the ways any and all types of travel can have benefits:

https://stephanietolk.medium.com/love-adventure-travel-choose-packaged-tours-prefer-resort-vacations-its-all-good-7b27a23855a0

Thanks for your perspective.

Stephanie