Another aspect is wildlife and fauna. In some countries this is unique and it's your only chance to see it in a natural setting. You might even care to learn a few words of the local language. The biggest compliment to the natives of a country is when a foreigner trys to speak their lingo. It shows you care and it opens doors.
Many tourists develop a love and respect for a country and visit it repeatedly over the years.
They make friends there and their understanding of the other culture promotes a lot of goodwill in the world. Often they develop a permanent liking for the country's music, food and dance. Similarly, people from your vacation country visit yours and learn about it. Their interest is often sparked by your visit to them. So don't be restricted to travel brochure thinking.