Check out all the latest news from destinations and their respective marketing organisations below…

The UK officially leaves the European Union

After 47 years, the UK has left the European Union three years after the Brexit referendum. The milestone was marked by Brexiteers partying in London’s parliament square alongside anti-Brexit protests.

Smart Traveller has advised there will be no changes to Australians living, working or travelling to the UK during a transitional period ending 31 December 2020.

The UK and the EU are providing updated guidance on the implications for issues such as travel, residency, education and employment.  You can check for the latest information through the websites of the UK Government and the European Commission.

Inca Trail temporarily closed

iStock/Susie Hedberg

The Inca Trail was closed last week following mud and rock slides caused by heavy rainfall. Three people working with a travel agency were trapped near the Pacayamayo Alto camp area, with one worker dying and the other two sustaining injuries.

Visit USA announce Richard Reid as MC across Perth, Adelaide & Gold Coast Expos, and a taster of the Texas Music Takeover

Visit USA has announced a host of updates ahead of the Visit USA Expos kicking off across the nation this month. The sold-out expos are shaping up to be the best yet, with a host of great entertainment, exceptional sponsors and exhibitors, and of course great venues, food and prizes!

Richard Reid will be returning to host the expos in Perth, Adelaide and the Gold Coast, while Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane attendees will get a sneak peek of the upcoming Texas Music Takeover taking place in Sydney in April plus, peruse the full list of exhibitors and presentations on the Visit USA Facebook page and each expo’s Facebook Event page.

What’s new and upcoming in Sri Lanka Tourism for 2020

Product managers creating holidays in Sri Lanka believe 2020 will be a positive year due to better road infrastructure, the increasing popularity of ecotourism products, new and flexible accommodation offerings and heightened security.

In the last few weeks, customer queries have increased. Optimism in the Sri Lankan travel trade is returning.

Infrastructure has been improved with the opening of Jaffna airport. Batticaloa and Ratmalana airports have been enhanced. A new road linking Colombo airport highway and the highway to the south has slashed travel time to Galle to just over two hours.

Perth to host rugby world champions and second Bledisloe Cup

The State Government, through Tourism Western Australia, is injecting $2.85 million to support the local tourism industry in the wake of the devastating east coast bushfires and potential impacts on travel plans following the coronavirus outbreak.

The funding is planned to focus on attracting interstate visitors to Western Australia in the coming months through co-operative marketing deals and partnerships with airlines, travel agents, hotels and other trade partners.

Tourism WA will collaborate with the State’s Regional Tourism Organisations to encourage locals to holiday at home. The agency will also work with the Perth Convention Bureau to attract last-minute business events and conferences to Perth.

Taking a road trip to discover the State will also be highlighted, which will include working with automobile clubs to entice members to take a caravanning or camping trip in WA.

Las Vegas paints the town purple in celebration of campaign launch

Las Vegas launched a new campaign with special events and activations across the destination to light the town purple.

The campaign was launched on Sunday, Jan. 26 with a 60-second ad debuting the destination’s new slogan “What Happens Here, Only Happens Here,” which aired during the 62^nd GRAMMY™ Awards. The ad continues to reinforce the legendary brand’s status as the paramount purveyor of adult freedom.

To kick off the celebration, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) hosted a press conference at Fremont Street Experience in Downtown Las Vegas where Governor Steve Sisolak proclaimed Jan. 30, 2020 as Only Vegas Day.

Following the proclamation ceremony, selfie-worthy Instagram pop-ups were unveiled at some of the city’s most iconic locations including Fremont Street Experience, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Fountains of Bellagio, The LINQ Promenade, McCarran International Airport – Terminal 1, Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas and Wynn Las Vegas. Later that evening, resort marquees up and down the Las Vegas Strip displayed #OnlyVegas messaging, while the Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas, The High Roller at The LINQ Promenade and the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign glowed purple in reflection of the new campaign.

Regional tourism in Victoria looking for support

The Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) is urging all Victorians to support regional tourism operators as they face a ‘double whammy’ hit to their businesses following the announcement of a two-month ban on Chinese tour groups visiting Australia and huge cancellation rates following the devastating bushfires.

Colorado – what’s in store for 2020?

Colorado has already seen a stellar line-up in 2020 – from epic snow conditions to celebrity holidaymakers who are taking to the state’s mountain towns – which in the past month have included Leonardo DiCaprio, Mariah Carey, Sofia Richie, Orlando Bloom, Jessica and Ashlee Simpson and Chris Martin, Gwyneth Paltrow and family, and famed Aussie producer Flume playing an exclusive NYE gig in Aspen.

With a range of experiences and accommodation to suit all travellers, from the elite to the backpacker, Colorado takes pride in enabling adventure accessible to all, as well as offering a noteworthy calendar of festivals and events, go here for more of Colorado’s highlights coming up in 2020.