In one word: CHARACTER.
Even a small amount of effort there, can go a long way to make generic x feel like a memorable experience.
Instead of just wiping out bandits camps, they could add brief, unique scenarios to them...like bandits trying to train wild boars as if they were dogs, only for them to end up turning on them and Geralt ends up being caught in a funny, chaotic fight in between. Assign bandit leaders, give them names and some unique loot that fits them.
Or generic 80+ smuggling caches, replaced by only a few, but each having a personal story behind them or adding more lore concerning Skellige.
Also, while it makes perfect sense for CDPR to focus on Witcher activities, I think they could have put more effort into creating more unique areas to discover, like abandoned elven ruins, reclusive mage tower..that sort of thing. Places with a sense of history behind them.
Add environmental treasure hunts...please without any compass or PoI. Like discovering a note about treasure and you have to use your eyes just as if you were in the game. Find giant white oak tree, take fifty steps to the east, etc...these things keep player's attention "rooted" in the world.
That is why Ubisoft open world games always fail and I think CDPR should have taken more cues from Gothic than AC.