The time it'd take
Nobody is ready, today, to go to Mars. There are far too many unknowns that haven't been answered yet...and we know it would take a too long time to achieve that goal...So, I'd rather let it go and concentrate on robots.
But the Moon is another matter...Much closer, already been on several places...Even if it's again flag and footprints before it's abandoned once again.
Then we'll know if we're a real space faring civilization.