I'd love to go and would have this year if it wasn't at the other side of the world to me. I wasn't able to make it to any of the European ones as I had other commitments at the time. I see great value in Steemfest and people forging connections and sharing ideas as well as having a good time. Every year I see the posts and would love to be in the middle of it.
I think steemfest is great and have no problem with people being supported to get there through individuals users choices
I wouldn't however expect to see my trip to steemfest funded by the STEEM development fund which is badly needed for the development of the eco-system, adding tools for developers and marketing the different projects being built on STEEM.
That's just my opinion on the matter.