Well, considering half of the point is to journey, they are at least half right. I suppose you can say the whole purpose is to travel around the two neighboring regions of Johto and Kanto and challenge the gyms for their badges.

[[At this she pulls out her badge case, displaying her eight Johto and one Kanto badges.]]

These are...I guess you can say proof that your Pokemon are strong and that you are smart. It takes a combination of both most times to defeat the gym leaders.