I agree with you and think, that the personality is about 90 % of the reason, to follow someone's travels. Either it is the humor, a special kind of viewing ankle or just the optical attraction.
If one would only like to see far-off places, you can find those pictures everywhere around.
Maybe it is also seeing someone living the life we would like to have even if it is only some aspects of it.
That is an important aspect as well, I agree.