This too, and this point gets amplified even further by the fact that, IMO, the Alola gang is arguably Ash's closest companions. No hate to Brock, Misty, Dawn, May and the rest, but SM is the first series that actually feels like Ash has a very close relation and emotional tie with the setting he's adventuring through since he doesnt travel constantly in Alola like he did in Kanto - Kalos. He's not going to one place as fast as he quickly leaves another place like in the other regions
Instead, he has a home base to regularly stay at. He has great family figures in Kukui and Burnet (which Journeys amplified even more by making their child Ash's little brother), his classmates are with him on a daily basis just like all of Ash's companions, but they all do the same daily routine as him. Going to school, learning Pokemon, exploring the different parts of Alola, having the time of their lives all together. You can basically treat them in the same vein as you would college friends. People you see every single day, doing the same stuff together every single day.
Unlike the other regions, Alola's become the new Kanto for Ash. A second home.
Exactly. XY Ash may grow in the seriousness department where he's focused on getting stronger and winning the league title, but he suffers in the department of actually enjoying Kalos. Even in Hoenn and especially Sinnoh when Ash matured and was super focused on battles, he still took the time to enjoy the adventure through those regions and wasn't stuck thinking about one thing through and through.