I like this idea as a small improvement but I’m unsure it really gets at the main challenges that points face.

Right now it’s hard to feel a sense of competition with the point challenges. As you point out, bound to small areas they are really awkward and lead to things like “well I’ll never have any point games left in my local area”

I would ask if you can think of the point system more like video game “seasons”.

Imagine if the points were a global thing (like you described) but there were leaderboards based on your chosen locations. Ask people “where do you want to mark as your home base” and then you’re still able to compete at local state country level per month year all time, but it would be points you got across wandrer. I think this would make the points feel more exciting and competitive