FAST TRACK: New U.S. visa system proposed for trusted travellers.  © Vacclav

Obtaining a tourist visa for the United States may become more straightforward in the future as moves to reform the U.S. visa system and expand the Visa Waiver Program gain more support in Washington.

Critics of the current visa system describe it as "burdensome," driving millions of potential visitors to other countries at an enormous cost to the U.S. economy.

The United States Travel Associationis among those proposing the reform for the visa system. It wants to recapture America's share of worldwide overseas travel.

Between 2000 and 2010, the global travel market grew by more than 60 million annual travellers. However, in 2010 the United States welcomed more or less the same number of visitors as it did in 2000. Currently, Western Europe attracts more visitors from Brazil, China and India than does the United States.

Supporters of the revised scheme say increasing travel to the United States could inject over USD 859 billion into the economy and create over 1.3 million new jobs.

In an open letter to Congress and the president, United States Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue urged leaders to welcome more tourists and business visitors to the United States: "Remove the hassle factor. Now is the time to make travel to the United States more convenient and welcoming. We must expand the Visa Waiver Program and reform and streamline the visa application process to ensure a consistent, predictable, fair, and timely process without compromising security. We should implement trusted traveler programs that speed through low-risk travellers who submit to a comprehensive screening and pay a fee. Wait times at customs should not exceed 30 minutes."

Join Leaders Club today and earn free nights at the world’s finest hotels! Plus, enjoy special benefits such as complimentary breakfast, when you book through The Leading Hotels of the World and stay at any of our over 430 hotels. Join Now.

Chinese media reports indicate China Southern Airlines will launch its first Airbus A380 service on a domestic route in China. On Oct. 18, China's largest airline will start using the A380 on the Beijing (PEK)–Guangzhou (CAN) route, followed by a daily service between Beijing and Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) on Oct. 27. The carrier says it will launch its first international A380 service on the Guangzhou–Paris (CDG) route, but has not confirmed a date. China Southern Airlines will become the first Chinese airline and the seventh carrier to fly the A380.

Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts has launched a new loyalty programme: Swissôtel Circle. Designed to reward and recognise its most frequent and loyal guests, members are accorded preferential treatment and special privileges at all properties of the international hotel chain. The membership for Swissôtel Circle is divided into three tiers: Inizia, Elevà and Zenit. The names are a nod to the brand's Swiss origin and are expressions from Romansh, the fourth official language in Switzerland and language of the craggy eastern Alps - a region where Swiss tourism was born. For full details of the programme's benefits, visit Swissôtel Circle

According to a recent Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation report, Cebu Pacific is the largest airline in terms of seat capacity operating to, from and within the Philippines. For example, during the last week of August, Cebu Pacific offered 258,120 seats - at least 30,000 more seats than other airlines operating in the country. Established in 1996, the low-cost carrier launched international flights in 2001. Cebu Pacific is expanding rapidly in China - it currently operates 73 flights a week from the Philippines to Shanghai (PVG), Beijing (PEK), Guangzhou (CAN), Hong Kong (HKG) and Macau (MFM).

The newly opened Mövenpick Hotel & Spa Bangalore is the first property in India for Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts. Conveniently located near the main business districts of the city, the hotel is a 30-minute drive from Bangalore International Airport (BLR). The 182-room hotel provides complimentary high-speed WiFi in all rooms and public areas. Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts recently announced plans to open a second Indian property, the Mövenpick Dharamshala Resort & Spa, due to open in 2013.

Jetstar has launched flights between Singapore's Changi International Airport (SIN) and Lishe International Airport Ningbo (NGB) in China's Zhejiang province. Jetstar now operates just under 100 weekly flights from Changi to eight destinations in Greater China. Flights to Ningbo operate on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The service will expand to four flights per week from Oct. 31 with an additional Thursday service. Jetstar has rapidly expanded its footprint into China over the last 18 months and will launch long-haul flights from Singapore and Melbourne (MEL) to Beijing (PEK) on Nov. 24.

Emirates Airline - in partnership with TUI Travel's sports division - is launching Emirates Live to give sports fans in Asia greater access to international events. Emirates Live promises a full range of services providing easy access to the world's sporting events including Rugby World Cup, the World Badminton Championship and the English Premier League. Packages include match tickets, flights, hotels and transfers. Visit Emirates Live for details.

Mekong Responsible Tourism is a new online guide to the Mekong region. The website showcases 185 responsible tourism operators and suppliers in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and Yunnan and Guangxi provinces in southwest China. Focusing on the unique culture and environment of the area around the Mekong, the guide aims to foster responsible tourism practices among travellers and the travel industry. It provides information to help visitors and travel companies make informed decisions on how to contribute towards the cultural revival of skills and traditions, the alleviation of poverty, the protection of unique ecosystems and the conservation of cultural heritage.

The Sukothai Bangkok's Spa Botanica has launched a special menu of Spa For Men treatments to pamper its male guests. The tranquil spa is situated within the lush gardens of spabotanica@sukhothai.com.

The Oyster & Wine Bar at the Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers enjoys some of the best views of Hong Kong's harbour. For China's National Day celebrations on Oct.1, the hotel has designed a luxurious dinner menu so guests can sit back and enjoy the spectacular fireworks display. The five-course dinner at the Oyster & Wine Bar (including a complimentary glass of Dom Pérignon Champagne) starts from HKD 1,288 per person for seats around the oyster bar. Front-row seats with uninterrupted views cost HKD 1,988 per person.