Society isn't about producing the maximum GDP though, it's about producing things people want. Sure, going on a vacation doesn't produce lasting value, but that

Society isn't about producing the maximum GDP though, it's about producing things people want. Sure, going on a vacation doesn't produce lasting value, but that's not the point. The person on vacation wanted to do it and that's sufficient reason on its own. Yes, towns obviously need a long term population, but this isn't usually the problem outside of smaller rural tourist towns.