Generally speaking,they are very curious about other cultures. When people are tourists,they get a quick look at different ways of living. Even a short look at another kind of life style is an important lesson.
On a trip a person can learn directly by visiting museums and historical spots. What does a tourist learn who sees the art museums,visits the historical palaces and other scenic spots in Paris,and moreover shops along the river scene? He gets a vivid picture -- a real life one of the french people.He learns about their attitudes, how they feel about business,beauty and history.
What about the tourist who goes to Hong Kong? Does he get a information that he could get from a book? He might read about the fact that Hong Kong is very crowded,and that there is less than 200 square meters of space for each person,but seeing and feeling the lack of space will impress him much more. He might read about the fact that there are nearly 200 vehicles for every kilometer of roadway, but the sight of so many vehicles parked along the roadside will be a much more vivid lesson. The tourist to Hong Kong will never forget the contrasts --the straight vertical lines on the tall modern buildings and the moving lines of boats that people live in.
In short,people enjoy traveling because they interested in other people ,other places and other cultures and they are eager to learn about them so as to broaden their horizons.